July 13, 2022 -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- Equipped and Sent

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

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 the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV 1984

Did Jesus qualify this statement by saying, ‘when you have reached a certain
maturity, then you have earned the right to be involved in discipling others’?
We need to remember whom Jesus was talking to. How mature were they?
Judging by their behavior they still had a long way to go. Only weeks before,
they’d all abandoned Jesus and Peter denied Him vehemently.

The verses above contain the clue. We disciple not because we are
especially mature or competent, but because Jesus commands us to make
this our priority. We are able to do so because Jesus gives us all the
resources we need…Over and over Christians who trust God will be amazed
by the words that they hear themselves speak in tough situations. Our wisdom
is limited but God graciously speaks His wisdom through us.
1-2-1 Discipleship. Christine Dillon,
Sevenoaks, Kent, UK: OMF Publishing, 2009 p.42

Dillon’s words are powerful and cut through the many, lame excuses Christians make as to why they are not witnessing or making disciples for Jesus. What you experience right now, where you are in your walk with God, these are of critical importance to someone around you. Be prepared to be used by the Spirit so share your struggles and God’s grace so that others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, fill the world with Thy glory, we pray Thee, and show Thyself, by the radiance of Thy light, to all the nations of the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord--Amen.
Gregorian Sacramentary, A.D. 590

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