Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
The idea of a disciple was not unique to Jesus. Rabbis had disciples as did philosophers of the time of Jesus.* We see in the Gospel of John that John had disciples. These leaders walked the long road with their disciples. Students of the time didn’t sign up for this school or that school; they signed up for this teacher or that teacher.* They followed this teacher everywhere, learning from them along the way.
When Jesus told the disciples to make disciples, it’s important to lean into what He meant by this. Did Jesus intend for you and I to teach people everything we know while they follow us day to day? If you are anything like me, a disciple who followed me that much might get bored after a couple of days!
Jesus instructed the disciples and thus you and me to make more disciples of Jesus. Making disciples of Jesus involves initiating them via baptism as Jesus describes and showing them how to follow Him. Following Jesus and learning from Him daily is a must for those that would call themselves “Christians.”
The difference between sitting and reading books about great philosophers or even about great leaders in the Christian faith and following Jesus is that following Jesus involves more than just learning about Him in a book.
Jesus promises that He is with us always, even until the end of the age. Jesus, as promised, is Emmanuel, God with us. This must shape our understanding of being His disciple. Following Jesus looks like relationship and learning from a living being who is present!
Maybe you have learned a lot about Jesus over the years. Perhaps you have read books and read the Bible and considered yourself a disciple because you know things. Jesus wants to lead you, speak to you, and teach you. Will you follow?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to decide to follow Him. Perhaps today God wants you to hear His voice and do what He asks of you. Maybe today God wants you to know that He is with you… even to the ends of the earth.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 740–750), and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt Mt 28:16–20).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).