Food for Thought
In the previous article “The Dynamics of Discipleship - Part 1”, we saw how important it is to begin by coming to Jesus together, receiving his gift of rest together, taking his yoke upon us together, and learning from him together (Mt. 11:28-30). Discipleship, therefore, is primarily a corporate activity; something we do together rather than separately.
Once we have obeyed Jesus in this regard, we are then ready to receive his next set of instructions which complement what he has already said to us. Instead of ‘Come’ he now says, ‘Go.’ Instead of ‘Take’ he now says ‘Make.’ And instead of ‘Learn’ he now says ‘Teach.’ His promise is then ‘I will be with you (plural) always, to the very end of the age.’ (Mt. 28:16-20)
With the authority of Jesus, we are called to go and make disciples (not just converts) of all nations (not just some nations). This includes baptising them in the name of the Trinity and teaching them to obey all Jesus has taught us. Part of his teaching provides us with a clear understanding of why we have a worldwide missionary mandate.