Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.”
Matthew 28:18-29
Jesus commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. A disciple is one who learns from a teacher. Jesus taught His disciples by modeling servant leadership. For three years the disciples watched Jesus before He sent them out to do greater works than He did: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12) The disciples watched Jesus, they asked Him questions, and they modeled what He did. And now as disciples of Christ, He calls us to do even greater things!
Jesus told His disciples there were two things required of them: that they bear fruit in His name and that they love others as He had loved them.
(John 15:8 and 13:35) Paul describes the fruit of a disciple as Christlikeness: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Jesus describes the love of a disciple as the love He had displayed to them: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. (John 13:34-35) The character of Christ and the love of Christ are reflected in the lives of disciples.
For us to be a disciple of Christ, we must learn from Jesus, our Teacher, obeying His commands to love and bear fruit in His name. As we love one another and display the fruit of the Spirit, we will draw others to Christ and fulfill the Great Commandment. The world is literally dying to see Christ in action through our love and through our actions. We are called to be disciples and to make disciples. As we model Christ in all that we do, we successfully nurture others to the ways of Christ.
Is God calling you to love someone and reflect the character of Christ? God leads us to reach out to certain people. Seek His will and look for them. As you obey and reach out with Christ’s love, you will be amazed at the response.
Heavenly Father,
Direct me to those who You are calling me to reach out to. Give me eyes to see them as You see them and a heart to love them with Your agape love, that they may know You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
