Day 29 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 29 – MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

Jesus Commands the Church to Make Disciples

Matthew 28:19-20  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus last command to His disciples in Matthew chapter 28 was to “Go and make disciples…”  When we look at the gospel accounts of Jesus ministry His command begs the question, “How did Jesus make disciples?”  From the very beginning of His ministry He specifically asked several men (Andrew, John, James, Philip, Peter, Matthew, and the rich young ruler) to “follow me” and all but one truly did. His followers became many and they followed Him one by one, followed Him in small crowds and in great crowds.  What was it that attracted so many followers?

As Jesus went from town to town preaching, praying, sharing the “Good News,” sharing the word of God, sharing meals, engaging others in conversation, walking with others, sitting with others, demonstrating Godly behavior, showing compassion, mercy, love, righteous anger, correcting bad theology, making others aware of bad (sinful) behavior, extending forgiveness, and doing all sorts of miracles…people followed Him!  What can today’s church learn from Jesus disciple making?  Isn’t it evident?

REFLECT: When you consider the life of Christ day to day with His followers and disciples are you attentive to the Holy Spirit and modeling Jesus in such a way to attract followers?  Do others around you see someone different who stands out among the crowd?  Jesus stood out as He led His life in the paragraph above and perhaps other than supernatural miracles you certainly can do all the rest of the examples He gave.

REPENT: Change your ways.  Ask God to forgive you for all of the ways you did not do what He wanted of you.  Ask Him to forgive you of doing those things in opposition to His commands.  Reach out to Him to give you the strength to lead a Holy Spirit driven Jesus-like life.

RESTORE:  You can BE a disciple!  You can serve to make disciples!  You CAN share God’s word, share the “Good News,” share meals, converse with others, walk with others, sit with others, demonstrate Godly behavior, show compassion, mercy, love, self-controlled righteous anger, correct bad theology, NOT minimize sinful behavior, extend forgiveness, and miraculously serve God as He changes lives around you!

Acts 1:8, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy