Scripture
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[1] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Translation notes (1)
- 28:19 Or all peoples.
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service.
I have previously shared in these devotions that I am not directionally savvy. However, I know that I must drive toward my desired destination if I want to get somewhere. It's not rocket science. Let's consider this truth as we think about Christ's call for His followers to make disciples. Making disciples means reaching out to people who do not know Christ and inviting them to know Him and follow Him. If we are going to obey this calling, we have to go in the direction of where people who do not know Christ are. Jesus' disciples knew this and set an example in Acts 3.
Acts 3 tells us that one day Peter and John, two leaders in the early church, "went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service" (verse 1). Why did they go to the temple? They went to, of course, pray. But they did not just want to pray by themselves. They could have stayed home and prayed by themselves. Instead, they wanted to pray together in community. They also knew that people who needed prayer would be at the temple. So, they went where needs were, following Jesus' commandment in Matthew 28 " go and make disciples" (verse 19).
Peter and John set a poignant example for us to follow in Acts 3. We, like them, have been commanded by Jesus to "go" and make disciples. Whether we go across the street or the world, we are all commanded to go. Scripture commands us to step out of isolation and move toward people who are far from God. Let's follow this command of Jesus and "go," making much of Him this week.
Moving toward action
What can you do to go where people who do not know Christ are? Maybe you can start a conversation with a coworker who does not know Jesus and be a friend to them. Maybe you can reach out to your neighbors across the street. If you are in school, start a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class. As your friendship progresses, share your faith authentically and invite them to follow Jesus. Step out of isolation and take steps to form friendships with people who are far from Christ.
Going Deeper
Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)
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