Introduction
Peter leads a large group of disciples to an isolated (perhaps secretive) meeting where Jesus will once again give them their marching orders. Then they make their way back to Jerusalem to await the coming Holy Spirit as the movement switches into its next phase of multiplication. Let’s take a look at these last two meetings with the disciples.
Reading [You can read as much as you can, depending on your availability]
Matthew 28:16-20
(and)
Mark 16:19-20
(or/and)
Luke 24:50-53
Meditating [Use these questions to start your thinking]
- What were the marching orders of Jesus (Matt. 28:16-20)?
- What role did the Holy Spirit now play in Jesus’ absence (Acts 1:1-11)?
- Why do you think the ascension was important to Jesus?
- When and where will we see Jesus again (Zech. 14:4-9)?
- What other questions do you still have?
Sharing: Text ONE of your answers to the questions above to your team. Each team should post a sharing from a team member in the comments below.
Peter leads the group to the mountain and they find Jesus waiting. They worship Him as the risen Saviour of the world. It is here on this mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had asked them to come (Matt. 28:16), that Jesus sums up His life’s work and gives them one simple command — to make disciples. That’s right; the command is not to “Go” but to “make disciples.” There is only one major command in this verse and there are three main verbs. Let me walk you through it. The first verb is “go,” which has the idea of “as you go.” Thus, Jesus is basically saying to the disciples, “as you go through life, make disciples.” As we walk through our daily activities of life, we need to make it our goal to invest in others, telling them the Good News of who Jesus is. Tell people that He is the way to God the Father (John 14:6). This is called evangelism. Jesus also says that this idea of making disciples is for all nations. It is transcultural; it is for the whole world. The gospel is for everyone, regardless of race, creed, colour or religious background. The movement of disciple-making, Jesus-style, is to span the globe. The second verb is to “baptise.” Remember, baptism is Jesus’ day was a form of identification. Thus, we are to help people identify with Jesus, His message and His mission. This is called edifying. The last verb is to “teach.” Teach everything that Jesus commanded. Remember Jesus told us that if we love Him, we will do what He says. This is called equipping. Thus, we are called to make disciples by doing three things: 1) We are called to evangelize the lost, 2) to edify the believer, and 3) to equip the disciple in a lifestyle of obeying Jesus and devoting their lives to making disciples who can make disciples in turn.
This making of disciples fulfils a new commandment — to love one another — so that by our love all the world will know that we are His (John 13:34-35). A disciple is known by his/her supernatural love. It is a lifestyle of loving God and loving others, a lifestyle that is Christ-centred, not me centred.
This making of disciples happens as we walk through life. A second command is given in this passage in the small Greek word “idou.” It is usually translated as “behold” or “lo.” It simply means that as we go through life, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus — for He is with us always, even to the end of the age! If you are a college student, be conscious as you walk to and from classes throughout your day and make it the priority to invest in others, telling them that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. This is the lifestyle Jesus is looking for, not a program or a religion. If you work at a job, share Jesus with your co-workers and clients. Tell them that Jesus is the way. Every day you encounter someone, you have a chance to evangelize, edify or equip. Live a Jesus-like lifestyle in front of others. Keep your eyes on Him. Make it your passion to make disciples.
This is not rocket science — it is easy to understand, but very hard to prioritize. When you start making disciples and stop “playing church”, your life may just turn upside down. Satan will do everything to get you to focus on yourself and not on Jesus. Even though Jesus’ strategy for making disciples is simple to understand, at times, it seems impossible to do. That is why Jesus left us with a promise, “I am with you always.” Our only hope is to die to self and allow Jesus to make disciples through us. That is the exchanged life, your life for His life, death to self so that Jesus might live in us (Gal. 2:20). It is the mystery that Paul talks about: “Christ in you” (Col.1:27).
From this mountaintop experience, Jesus leads the team back to Jerusalem and then out to Bethany. On the Mount of Olives, He tells them, “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 1:8). We are witnesses of the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are His disciples who love Him and prove that love by obeying Him. He then ascends to heaven, like the king who left for a short while, leaving the servants with ten minas and telling them to go do business for Him. He too will return and each will have to give an account of how they did with the job that they were given. How will it go with you when Jesus returns or calls you home to heaven?
When Jesus returns to claim His rightful kingdom, will He find you making disciples? Will He find you living for yourself, playing church or will you be dying to self and living for Him? The daily choice is yours. Choose life because Jesus is life, and you will live. May He find you faithfully making disciples that will in turn make more disciples! Don’t stop meeting with those you have been investing in. Make a plan to go deeper in understanding who Jesus is. Go back through this study with another friend and make another disciple.
How are you actively obeying the final command of Jesus before you meet Him again? –> I love what was said in Matthew 28:19-20, that God commanded me to go make disciples of all nations with the absolute assurance that God is me every single step of the way to the end of age. I am actively following this command of Jesus by trusting and obeying His word daily, even when it’s difficult to follow or understand. I pray that my walk with God would be stronger each day and my trust in Him would grow more as I deepen my relationship with Him.
What were the marching orders of Jesus (Matt. 28:16-20)?
Jesus orders us to make disciples of Him. This means to foster our relationship with those around us and walk with them on a spiritual journey. As Christians, we are called to reveal who Jesus is & lead people to Him. We are called to obey his word and we are never alone in this! God is with us through our trials and tribulations. I pray that I continue to seek God daily & remind myself of the things Jesus did for me on the cross. I pray that I submit to His will & actively grow my relationship with Him & others around me. May I continue to seek my community & Him for support in all areas of my life.
The biggest task for the eleven disciples was to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Judging from what I have done thus far since becoming a follower, I would say that oftentimes when I do try to make disciples I am either not at the stage where I feel equipped or I fail to keep it Christ-centered. However, the more I reflected on it the more thoughts that I would have which became a hindrance to the task that I am called to do. Today’s passage was to tell me to trust more in the Lord and maybe not overthink too much. When I was getting discipled, there was intentionality but it was just me and my disciples just going through life together while being rooted in scripture and faith nothing more. I think I just need to remind myself that despite what I feel, it really boils down to how much I trust in God’s ability to work in me and take that leap of faith to go out and share.