Matthew 28:16-20" data-pin-description="As Jesus followers, how are you involved in disciple-making? Discipleship is more than just a class. It's a way of life. Christian leaders, take a minute to consider what it means for you to go and make disciples. Listen to this short episode and consider how you'll disciple others today and in the coming weeks." class="skip-lazy a3-notlazy no-lazyload dpsp-post-pinterest-image-hidden-inner dpsp-post-pinterest-image-hidden-single" data-no-lazy="1">Episode 124: Pause
June 16, 2020
Over the next 4-6 weeks, we’re hitting the pause button and hope you will too.
Instead of a full podcast episode about a leadership topic or challenge, we’re offering you a series of brief devotions to nurture your soul as a leader so you can continue equipping people to follow Jesus.
This is the third in the series.
Read
Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Reflect
The word “go” means “as you go,” or while going. It carries with it the idea that wherever you are at any particular time, that is the time and place to be a Jesus follower. As you go to the office, to school, to the grocery store, on vacation, etc., that is the time to “make disciples.”
The word “disciple” means “student” or “follower”. Another way to think of the word disciple is “a grace-filled Jesus follower who puts faith into action.
It is important to note what is meant by the word “make.” Some people misread the word as though Jesus is commanding his followers to coerce people to become disciples. That is a misuse of the word. It is a verb. It simply means, “disciple people.” Question is, “how do you disciple people?” The answer, same way Jesus did. He loved them, he blessed them, he helped them, and he helped them become who they were created to be.
When Jesus says “go and make disciples of all nations” he is saying wherever you are and with whomever, you associate, love, bless, and help everyone.
You might think of this way, after the resurrection, the invitation to discipleship was open to all people, men, and women, of all nations. People were not called to become individual believers, they were to be enlisted as disciples within the Christian community, whose reception of the Christian message in faith must be actualized in their lives.
The call to fishermen (4:18-22), the tax collector (9:9), and the twelve (10:1-4) is now extended to all, as an extension of the call to Abraham in relationship with the promise that all nations (people) would finally be blessed through him (Genesis12:1-3).
Respond
- Today, who will you disciple?
- How will you reflect the love of God?
- How will Jesus inform your thinking, your decisions, and your relationships?
Consider paying attention to all people. Be vulnerable. What difference does your interaction make in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?
Return
Reflect upon the scripture and your interactions of the day.
- How did you reflect the love of God today?
- In whom did you meet Jesus today?
- For whom or what are you grateful?
- Do you think or feel that you missed some opportunities today?
- What might you do differently tomorrow?
Pray
O God, thank you for calling me to be a follower for the assurance that I am not alone in living the life you have given me to live. Thank you for giving me direction in living this life. I am especially grateful that you are helping me become more who you created me to be. Help me focus my eyes more upon Jesus, so I may recognize you more often in the people I meet along the way. Amen.
