Sunday, October 18, 2009

October 18, 2009

"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 28:19-20
When I read these two verses I am struck by the "O" in disciple.
That's right, the "O" in disciple. No, I did not make a mistake. Yes, I can spell. And, yes, there IS a big "O" in disciple - "O" for obedience. You can't be a disciple without it. You can't make a disciple without it.
Jesus called the disciples to meet Him in a familiar place. They came in obedience. Because they did they got to worship Jesus and fellowship with Him one last time before He ascended to the Father. I'm guessing they were glad they obeyed! That's the "O" in disciple.
With His last words, Jesus told them that they were to leave this place, wait for His Holy Spirit to fall upon them, and then go win converts and make disciples. We know that as the Great Commission. It still drives the church today. But it never would have mattered if those eleven guys would not have obeyed we wouldn't be having this discussion. That's the "O" in disciple.
They were told that they were to make disciples by teaching converts to obey everything Jesus taught them. In otherwords, teach obedience by being obedient. That's the "O" in disciple.
Twenty-one centuries later, the "O" is still essential in disciple. If you don't obey you are not a disciple. If you aren't a disciple you can't make a disciple.
That's the "O" in disciple. Are you OK with that?