Jesus’ final recorded command in Matthew is to go and make disciples and “teach them to observe all that I commanded you”. The very last verse. Right before ascending back up to Heaven, parting words from the Savior of the world.

I’d almost say He skipped a step, but the step really should go without saying (and He’s Jesus, so I’m not questioning Him). But before we teach others to observe all that He commanded, I’m pretty sure He meant for us to also learn to observe them ourselves, too.

We tend to be a lot better at teaching Jesus’ commands than observing them. Those who can’t do, teach, right? But Jesus really didn’t seem to be a huge fan of that philosophy. Obeying His commands is the best thing we can do to bridge the gap between Him and the lost. But when we don’t, we make Him even blurrier to the lost and become Trojan Horses in His army.

Maybe it’s just me, but I almost hear a little bit of a sarcastic irony when Jesus said “all that I commanded you”, because He really boiled 39 books down to one word in Mark 12, and John basically repeated it in every chapter. Love. And when that seems impossible, remember that He didn’t forget anything at all in His final message. He just chose to remind us of something more important instead: He is with us always.