The Ten Commandments and The Great Commission

The Lord’s intention for giving His people the Ten Commandments and the Great Commission are similar, but the Great Commission improves on the Ten Commandments.

The Lord said to His people though Moses, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]

In lieu of what Jesus Christ did for our redemption, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [2]

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” [3] God gave the people of Moses the Ten Commandments after three days of waiting. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day giving us His people a new message to proclaim and to live by, namely, eternal life for all who have a relationship with Jesus Messiah.

“The whole mountain quaked greatly.” There was an earthquake when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [4]

The first of the Ten Commandments is about God delivering the people out of bondage and commanding them to have no other gods before Him. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the One through whom believers in Him receive forgiveness of sins and salvation. “Him [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]

“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” We are to proclaim that salvation is in no other name than the Name of Jesus. His Name is above every other Name. We are to make disciples in His Name which speaks of resting or sabbathing in the Lord as we learn His Word and walk in His ways. [6]

The remainder of the Ten Commandments are covered in the great commission that Jesus announced before He ascended to heaven. Commandments five through ten are about not dishonoring one’s parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness and not coveting. Jesus gave us the commission to love people and proclaim to them salvation in the Name of Jesus. Our new commission surpasses not hurting others. Our new commission is to join with Jesus in proclaiming eternal life in His Name as a free gift of God’s grace to all who believe in Him. Our commission includes proclaiming the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who receive Christ as Savior. The Spirit helps us to live a new life. [7]

“In every place where I record My Name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The Heavenly Father honors those who serve His Son Jesus. “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [8] Therefore, the best thing we can do for any community is to teach the people to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May the joy of the Lord overflow from us to the ends of the earth!

[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[3] Exodus 19:10-11
[4] Exodus 19:18; Matthew 28:2
[5] Exodus 20:1-6; Acts 10:40-43
[6] Exodus 20:9-10 Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7-11; Matthew 28:19-20
[7] Exodus 20:12-17; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
[8] Exodus 20:24; John 12:26