How does Isaiah 40:9 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Setting the Scene Isaiah 40 opens a section of comfort after judgment, celebrating the certainty of God’s coming and His reign. Matthew 28 closes the Gospel with Jesus’ charge that His reign be announced to the whole earth. When we read Isaiah 40:9 and Matthew 28:19-20 together, we see one seamless storyline: God sends heralds to declare His rule and invite all people into covenant life with Him. Isaiah 40:9 — The Old Testament Herald “Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; raise your voice strong, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” • Herald = one entrusted with a royal proclamation • Good news = the literal “gospel” of God’s arrival and reign • Location = high mountain, a visible platform for maximum reach • Tone = fearless, clear, joyful • Content = “Behold your God!”—focus on who God is and what He is doing right now Matthew 28:19-20 — The New Testament Commission “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” • Go = outward movement, intentional engagement • Make disciples = more than information; lead people into lifelong allegiance • All nations = global scope, fulfilling God’s promise to bless every family of earth • Baptizing & teaching = initiating and nurturing covenant relationship • I am with you = God’s personal presence guaranteeing success Key Parallels Between the Two Passages • Mandate to Proclaim – Isaiah: “raise your voice” – Matthew: “go… teach” • Audience Expansion – Isaiah addresses Judah; hinting forward to the nations in 42:6, 49:6 – Matthew explicitly names “all nations” • Content of the Message – Isaiah: “Behold your God!”—God’s kingship revealed – Matthew: “baptizing… teaching” people to live under Jesus’ kingship • Authority & Presence – Isaiah’s herald speaks for Yahweh, whose word stands forever (40:8) – Jesus claims “all authority… I am with you always” • Fearless Boldness – Isaiah: “do not be afraid!” – Matthew: implied courage backed by Christ’s presence Theological Threads • One Gospel Story: Isaiah anticipates the arrival of God; Matthew announces His arrival in Jesus and spreads it universally (cf. Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15). • Covenant Continuity: Both heralds call people into covenant obedience—Judah to trust the LORD, nations to obey everything Jesus commanded. • Mission Rooted in Worship: The goal is that people “Behold God” and worship Father, Son, and Spirit (Psalm 96:3; Revelation 5:9-10). • Divine Empowerment: The Spirit foretold in Isaiah (42:1) empowers the church at Pentecost (Acts 1:8), ensuring the mission’s success. Practical Takeaways for Today • We stand in a long line of heralds—Isaiah’s mountain becomes our workplaces, neighborhoods, and digital platforms. • The substance of our message is still “Behold your God,” now revealed in the crucified and risen Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5-6). • Fearlessness flows from trusting God’s unbreakable word (Isaiah 40:8) and Christ’s abiding presence (Matthew 28:20). • Every believer participates—making disciples is not an optional add-on but the natural overflow of knowing the King. • Global vision and local action unite—pray, give, go, and speak so every city, tribe, and person hears the royal announcement. Scriptures Echoing the Same Theme • Isaiah 52:7 — “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…” • Mark 16:15 — “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” • Romans 10:14-15 — “How can they hear without someone preaching?” • 1 Peter 2:9 — “Proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness…” Isaiah’s mountain cry to Judah and Jesus’ Great Commission to the church together form a single, unbroken call: lift your voice, go without fear, and let the whole world see the glory of our God in the face of Christ. |
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