The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20, HCSB)
The disciples were in awe. The news was still sinking in: Jesus is alive. Jesus is alive. Jesus is alive!
As they met up with Him on a mountainside in Galilee, they hung on every word He said. They worshiped Him. Some doubted. What – some doubted?? Take a look at Matthew 28:17 above. Yes, some doubted. They were worshiping, yet they had some doubts. We learn from this that when we have doubts, we should not run away from God. When we have doubts, we should continue to worship, continue to seek Jesus in prayer and Bible study, continue to follow Christ. Worship Him.
Jesus has all authority. In heaven and on earth. Therefore, when He sends us out to go and make disciples, we go in His authority. That is huge!
Go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18). The verb tense for the word “go” literally means, “as you are gonna be going anyway, make disciples.” Every one of us goes lots of places: to our neighborhood, to our work, to our community, to school, to the ballfields, to stores, to the mall. Pray that God will open your spiritual eyes to the opportunities all around you to make disciples. Pray that you will recognize the people who are interested in the things of God, people who are asking questions of faith, people who are receptive to the good news of Jesus Christ.
As you’re gonna be going anyway, make disciples. Make disciples of all nations. That means that some of us are called to go the ends of the earth to share the good news of Jesus with other people. ALL of us are called to called to make disciples in our community, everywhere we go!
Recently I was at a store, and the Lord opened up an opportunity to talk with a young man about our church family and about faith in Christ. He just recently moved to our town. In our area, 1 in 4 people were not even born in our nation. They have moved here from all over the world. Opportunities are everywhere!
As you’re gonna be going anyway, make disciples.
Disciples of Jesus are followers of Jesus. They are people who have been saved by God’s grace, forgiven of their sin, who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for their sins and rose from the dead. They have been saved by grace and have a life that has been changed forever.
Jesus says, “Baptize them” (Matthew 28:19). A disciple of Jesus should be baptized. Baptism says to the world, “I am a follower of Jesus Christ.” Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus. Perhaps you need to be baptized. If so, contact me or your pastor to set a time for you to be baptized. By immersion, as the Bible describes. And, certainly as God gives you the privilege to see others become followers of Jesus, they should be baptized as well. It’s a big deal.
As you’re gonna be going anyway, make disciples and teach them to follow Jesus in every way. That’s what Jesus means in Matthew 28:20 when He says, “teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” Take time to develop friendships with people where you talk about faith, about the Bible, about Jesus. Study the Bible together. Discuss it. Put it into practice in your life.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Jesus is with you ALWAYS, to the very end of the age. He will empower you, lead you and guide you as you make disciples.
THIS WEEK:
- Where are you gonna be going?
- Who are you praying for, that they will become followers of Jesus Christ?
As you’re gonna be going anyway, make disciples!