Matthew 28:16–20
[16] Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] 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, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
When Jesus called his first disciples to himself, he said to them “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” While the disciples were still in wonder at the reality that Jesus had died and was alive in front of them, Jesus told his friends “Go…and make disciples…” They had learned what it meant to “make disciples” because Jesus had shaped them to be disciples over the meals that they ate together, the days they walked together, and the adventures they experienced together.
But, this seems strange to us. Somehow- between Jesus exemplifying his own words and today- we have lost the meaning (and simplicity) of what Jesus said, settled for something different. Something more controllable and comfortable.
As we- together- start on Jesus’ next adventure for us, we will look to see how the Spirit is at work doing what Jesus did in our lives. We will start in a passage in Matthew, but dive into the book of Acts over the next weeks.
Let’s start with one question to consider together : who (or what) has formed you?
What relationships or experiences (or other things) have shaped you to be who you are today?
We are always being discipled (shaped, formed) by someone or something, who has it been for you?