Some of Jesus’ last words to his followers were the Great Commission, where he told them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). If I had been there, I think I would have been tempted to stop him and ask for some clarification. What, exactly, did Jesus mean by “disciple?” What were the signs that someone had become a disciple, that they were complete and I could check them off my list and move on to the next person?
Merriam-Webster defines “disciple” as:
one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as
a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts
b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual
If we apply those definitions to what Jesus called his followers to do—make disciples—our job seems pretty easy. We tell people about Jesus, they become “a convinced adherent of a school or individual” by believing and trusting in Jesus, and on we go to the next person.
Except that’s not really what Jesus did. Most of his ministry days were spent with the same twelve people, even after they were convinced of who he was. For Jesus, making disciples wasn’t a one-time thing, and I don’t think it is for us either.
Making disciples isn’t another item on the “Good Little Christian” to-do list, and if we’ve told someone about God we’re good to go. Disciple-making is the continual, slow, good work of being the hands and feet of Christ to all we come into contact with. It can (and should) look like telling people about God, but it’s so much more than that. Making disciples is also about encouraging fellow believers when they are down, it is about showing up when we don’t feel like it, it is about continuing to work out our faith with the people around us long after an initial commitment to Christ.
It is not flashy, it is not instant, it is not easy.
It is trustworthy, it is patient, it is enduring.
Jesus didn’t exchange his disciples every time they didn’t understand what he was up to (which was often). Instead, he stuck with them, slowly showing them what life with him could really look like. We don’t need to be intimidated by the Great Commission, thinking we have to move to another country and be telling hundreds of people a day about Jesus (though that may be what some of us are supposed to do)—instead, we can be part of the work of making disciples, wherever we are. We can invest in others and allow them to do the same for us as we live out Jesus' words together.
[Brianna DeWitt believes in Jesus, surrounding yourself with good people, and that desserts are best when they involve chocolate and peanut butter. You can read more of her musings on her own blog or follow her on Twitter @bwitt722.]
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