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Disciple Makers

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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NIV

I hope this is one of the most impactful selections of scripture for us as followers of Jesus. To set the scene, Jesus is on a mountain and with his closest followers. He's defeated death and left the empty tomb behind. I'm sure the apostles are starting to really understand all He shared with them. The pieces of a puzzle clearly fitting into place. I envision it being like a coach in a huddle just before a game. He shares his final instructions to his team before they go out and execute the plan.

If you've seen the movie Pulp Fiction, I think that what the apostles experienced would have been like the film. Pulp fiction is written and filmed in such a way that connects what seems like random disconnected stories. The end of the film brings it all together and it just makes sense. There is a bit of an "Ah Ha moment" and your brain puts it all together. I wonder if the eleven followers felt the same way. 

In His message, Jesus makes it clear that following Him means action. It is not something that happens passively. You don't get to sit back and watch. You have a responsibility. You have to get up and get busy.

When you choose to follow Jesus you become a disciple maker who does so because you love God. You choose to show love to your neighbors, just like Jesus did. After all He told us, "“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34 NIV)

Let's be honest, at times it's hard to love some people. They can be mean and rude. People can say things that hurt each other. If we are really going to be honest, we have to admit that sometimes that person who is hard to love is staring at us in the mirror. Whether we feel like a person deserves for us to love them, God reminds us that He feels they are worthy of love. 

As you reflect on Matthew 28:18-20 consider the following: 
  How's your love of God's people going?
  How's your disciple making going? 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt



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