Make Disciples

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:19

In the original language of Matthew, the main verb in verse 19 is “make disciples.” It is imperative. “Go” and “baptizing” are both participles in the Greek, which draw their force from the main verb, “make disciples.” No matter where we are, no matter our official position in the church (or lack thereof), as Christians we are in the business of being and making disciples of Jesus.

What is a disciple? It’s more than a believer, though putting your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord is a crucial, initial step in the walk of discipleship. The Greek word translated as “disciple” (mathetes) could be translated as “student” or “learner” or “intern” or “apprentice.” It identified someone who was in an intentional relationship of learning from a master. Disciples of Jesus are committed to imitating the life and actions of Jesus. Even as he brought the message of the kingdom of God and illustrated that good news with deeds of love and power, we are to do the same.

We live out our discipleship, not just in private or in obviously religious settings. Rather, we seek to live as Jesus would live wherever we are: at home and at work, when we’re shopping and when we’re just hanging out with friends. Discipleship is a life-encompassing calling.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Are you living as a disciple of Jesus? Are you learning to be more like him? In which contexts of your life is it easier to be a disciple? In which contexts is it more difficult? How might being a disciple of Jesus change the way you act today?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, how easy it is for me to settle with being a believer in you, but not much of a disciple. Yet you have called me to be one of your student-interns, so that I might learn to live as you would live. Forgive me, Lord, when I reduce the Christian life to a matter only of believing the right things about you. Help me to be your disciple, to learn from you, to imitate you, to communicate your good news, and to act out this good news every day.

Moreover, may I be a disciple-maker. Use me to draw people to you and to teach them to follow you in every part of their lives. In particular, help me to lead my children in their discipleship. May I see my role as a parent in light of your call to make disciples. Amen.