The escalating ministry of Christ builds to a crescendo of glorious power and reach as Matthew's gospel closes. Paul has summarized the triumphant thrust of the ongoing influence of the incarnation in several places. A classic instance can be found in Ephesians 1:19-23. Here he illuminates the greatness of the power of God realized by those who believe by pointing to Christ in whom the same power was evident. “...When He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Other cross references reinforce the importance of this occasion as well. Even the setting proves significant as we note patterns of revelation in Matthew's account. This was not the first event to take place on a mountain. We recall the 'Sermon on the Mount” in chapters 5-7, the “Mount of Transfiguration' (here Jesus in indicates that the weight of this event will not be manifest until after His resurrection (9), The 'Olivet Discourse' recalls the location of the temple's departed glory from Ezek 10,11 (Mat 24,25), miracles took place on mountains in the course of Jesus ministry (15:29-39), in our text today we consider 'The Great Commission', and soon to follow: the ascension (Luke 24:50, Acts 1:6-12). Observing the context of the gospels, we find even the setting of Jesus' last words magnifies the moment...