Matthew 28: 18 – 20 “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority [all power of rule] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days [perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion] to the very close and consummation of the age. Amen. (So let it be.) NKJV Amplified
What does it mean to make disciples? Dallas Willard states that “the first goal he (Jesus) set for the early church was to use his all -encompassing power and authority to make disciples without regard to ethnic distinctions – from all “nations”…Having made disciples, these alone were to be baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Given this twofold preparation, they were then to be taught to treasure and keep “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Willard continues, “But in place of Christ’s plan, historical drift has substituted “Make converts (to a particular ‘faith and practice’) – and baptize them into church membership. This causes two great omissions from the Great Commission to stand out. Most important, we start by omitting the making of disciples and enrolling people as Christ’s students, when we should let all else wait for that. Then, we also omit, of necessity, the step of taking our converts through training that will bring them ever-increasingly to do what Jesus directed …Not having made our converts disciples, it is impossible for us to teach them how to live as Christ lived and taught ….When confronted with the example and teachings of Christ, the response today is less one of rebellion or rejection than one of puzzlement: How do we relate to these? What have they to do with us? Isn’t this bait and switch?”
The disciples traveled with Jesus “in an attitude of observation, study, obedience, and imitation.” For the first disciples, there had to be a desire to be like Jesus and a decision or settled intent to imitate Him at all costs, including the loss of family and friends. “The disciple is one who, intent upon becoming Christ – like and so dwelling in his “faith and practice,” systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end. By these decisions and actions, even today, one enrolls in Christ’s training, becomes his pupil or disciple. There is no other way.” Dallas Willard, “The Great Omission”
Today, many of us have enforced time for reflection. I challenge you to find someplace quiet, even if it is your closet, and ask God to show you what He wants you to do to become His disciple. Rest assured, God is waiting for you “in the secret place.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that you are always calling us to come up higher! Help us to truly search for you. Transform us from ordinary human beings into your disciples. And help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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