Wide Open, Week 18: Wait. Teach. Kiss
Luke 24:36-49 (NIV)
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
John 20:19-23(NIV)
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Discussion Questions
The sermon introduced three Great Commissions — wait, go, and kiss — each from a different gospel. Before going any further, which of those three words resonated most immediately with you when you heard them, and why?
Luke's Great Commission is surprising — instead of sending the disciples out, Jesus tells them to stay put and wait. In a world where everything is immediate and waiting feels like falling behind, what does it actually look like to wait on God in a way that is active and expectant rather than passive and anxious?
Dr. Levison described the young adults at his device-free retreat struggling most with waiting — conditioned by dopamine and instant feedback to expect immediate response. Where do you see that same conditioning shaping your own spiritual life?
Matthew's Great Commission has no bells and whistles — no miracles, no proclamation, no grand signs. Just go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. How does it change your understanding of mission to know that Jesus didn't ask for impressive or charismatic — just faithful and obedient?
The message made the point that we can only teach what we know — and knowing requires memorization and internalization, not just familiarity. When did you last actually memorize a command of Jesus? What would it look like to start with just one this week?
The Greek word for "breathed into" in John's Great Commission is the same word used in Genesis when God breathed life into Adam, and in the story of Elijah bringing the widow's son back to life. What does that level of intimacy and life-giving presence tell you about what Jesus was actually doing in that locked room?
Dr. Levison described the kiss commission as being for those who are tired, weary, and in need of the risen Lord breathing new life into them. Is that where you are right now? What would it look like to ask God for that kind of renewal rather than pushing through on empty?
The sermon closed with an invitation to write down one word — wait, teach, or kiss — as the commission you sense God extending to you in this season. Which did you write down, and what do you think God is asking of you through it?
These three commissions don't have to be permanent assignments — they're seasonal invitations. Looking back over your life, can you identify seasons when God was calling you to each of the three? What was happening in your life during each of those seasons?
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