Disciples

What does it mean to make disciples? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? We throw the term “disciple” around at church, but what does it actually mean? In the New Testament, a disciple is someone who chooses to follow Jesus. For the original disciples, they were following Jesus initially as a Rabbi. It was not uncommon for Rabbis to have disciples or students. Jesus though, proved to be something different. He was not just another teacher. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, God Incarnate.  

So what does it mean for us to be a “disciple” of Jesus today? It is not dissimilar to what the early disciples were called to do. We are to follow Jesus in terms of his teaching, his example, and yes even his sacrifice. It includes responding to His call, leaving behind former ways, and prioritizing a relationship with Him. It means obeying his commandments and allowing his Spirit to mold us more into the image of Jesus. It also means joining with other disciples to encourage one another and learn from one another. 

Are we going to do this perfectly? The answer is easy, “No.” The early disciples made all kinds of mistakes, but Jesus continued to teach them and restore them when they fell. As with all disciples, He deals with us according to where we are in our journey with Him. As He was with his first disciples, He is patient and full of grace when we fail and we all fail. 

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives his followers the Great Commission: 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 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." So how do we make disciples? We invite others to follow Jesus with us. It means that they too become disciples by the definition laid out above. It starts with us “going” to tell others about Jesus and inviting them to become disciples. It involves baptizing them in the name of the Triune God by which they acknowledge the divinity of Jesus. In Baptism they are brought into the covenant community, the community of disciples. Finally, we are to teach them Jesus’ commandments and the need to obey them. True disciples of Jesus make more disciples.

Somewhere along our idea of evangelism and the Great Commission got separated from making disciples. One of my Seminary professors, Dr. Scot McKnight writes: “Most of evangelism today is obsessed with getting someone to make a decision; the apostles, however, were obsessed with making disciples.” There is nothing wrong with someone deciding to follow Christ, but our efforts should not stop there. We as a church must do a better job of helping people to grow in their faith and to live and grow as disciples of Jesus.

As we look at what it means to be disciples of Jesus, are we as a church doing enough? As disciples are we seeking to learn more about Jesus, the Bible, and the life of faith? While I believe attending worship is a good start, it is just a start.  We need to spend time in prayer, study, fellowship, and mission. If we are truly disciples of Jesus, we must live as disciples, and make disciples as well. The late Presbyterian Pastor, Tim Keller wrote: Discipleship is not an option. Jesus says that if anyone would come after me, he must follow me. As His disciples, let us choose to follow Him together.

           Blessings,

         Pastor Jim