Make disciples

Jesus’ last command before He ascended to Heaven was to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28).”

So what does it mean to be a disciple?

It is super important that we understand what discipleship truly is as it can often be lost in and amongst Christianese, religion and ignorance.

It is common in Israel, today and throughout history, for each person to have a Rabbi who they follow, learn from and grow. They would follow closely after this person, learn their ways and take in all that they shared and gave. A picture oft referred to is of a student following so closely to his Rabbi that the dust from the Rabbi would flick up and settle on the student as he followed behind.

Jesus had many followers and yet He only had a few disciples.

Jesus had many critics, many observers, many who were ‘wow-ed’ by all that He did but He only had a few disciples.

Discipleship is not simply giving your heart to the Lord and saying the ‘Sinner’s prayer’ - it requires more than that.

Jesus is our greatest example and He demonstrated clearly what true discipleship was. He knew what it was to be under authority and lived that out. He only did that which the Father told Him to do. He understood spiritual authority.

In the kingdom of God, spiritual authority looks like this:

God’s will and way - - - -

- - - - Jesus’ will and way

- - - - The Holy Spirit’s will and way

- - - - Our will and way.

Many are called but few are chosen. Discipleship is about submitting ourselves to God’s will and way - remember that prayer, “Your will be done, Your kingdom come”? - and being obedient to all that He says and calls us to do.

When we operate in that level and understanding of discipleship, then we are able to replicate that ourselves.

Discipleship - look to the Father; His will, His way.