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...the Bible tells me so:
Father and son are walking together on the beach. Father is in the lead. Son is close behind. Father leaves tracks in the sand. Son carefully steps in the footprints. Right foot goes in right print. Left foot goes in left print. Right. Left. Son follows in the footsteps of father.
This is what the Bible calls “discipleship.” We do not use that word often, except in religious circles. Basically it means, follow the leader, just like the children’s game.
However, discipleship has its demands. Consider three verses from Luke 14. Verses 26 and 27 say, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple” (NIV). Jesus concluded this particular section with verse 33, saying, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.”
Those are tough words from a tough Lord. We will look in greater detail at those verses on a future date. For now, we will concentrate our thoughts on Jesus’ teaching about discipleship as found in the Great Commission.
Jesus told His apostles,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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 28:18-20)
Jesus gave His apostles their marching orders—and ours, too—based on His ultimate authority. Sometimes we look to our consciences to guide us. Sometimes we look at man-made laws to direct us. Sometimes we simply give in to the laws of nature. However, when it concerns spiritual matters, we look to Jesus to lead us back to God.
The central directive in His Great Commission is to “make disciples of all nations.” That word, “disciple,” means two things. First, it means to make a learner. Hence, the KJV Bible has “teach” all nations. Second, it means to follow what you have learned. Specifically, once we learn about Jesus and His good news for us (see Mark 16:15), we follow what He teaches.
How does one make a disciple? Jesus answered with a two-step approach. First, we make disciples by “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Of course, Christian baptism is pointed to as completing that initiation into a saving relationship with Jesus. We teach others to trust in the good news of Jesus (Mark 16:16) and to turn away from their sins (Luke 24:47) as we lead them into the waters of forgiveness (Acts 2:36-38).
Second, we make disciples by “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Just like baptism, obedience to Jesus has never been an optional extra in Biblical Christianity. Everyone who wants to please Christ obeys Him. It is as Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.... If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.... You are My friends if you do what I command” (John 14:15; 15:10, 14).
In the heart of John’s account of the life of Jesus, Jesus summarized the blessings for those who accept His offer of salvation. He said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (8:31-32).
Today is the day to learn His teaching and to follow His way. Come now; follow in the footsteps of Jesus. O happy day!
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2nd &
Wallace |
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