Communauté et discipulat
Come and See (Mt. 28:19~20)
Jesus is transforming lives, including the most broken, and he calls every believer to go into the world and make disciples. Those who have questions can come and see him for themselves, and then bring others to him as spiritual parents.
Jesus transforms even the most broken lives
Pastor Steve Cha begins with the story of Professor Christopher Yuan, who grew up in a strict Chinese-American family and later lived a homosexual lifestyle, became addicted, and was sentenced to six years in federal prison for drug trafficking. His mother kept praying and fasting for him for seven years. In prison he read the Bible, came to faith, and later struggled with his sexuality until Scripture convicted him that it was not what God teaches. God is in the business of restoring and forgiving broken people. Yuan later studied at Moody Bible Institute and now teaches there.
Go, because Jesus commissioned the whole church (vv. 19-20)
Jesus gave the Great Commission before he ascended, and he repeated it five times in the Gospels and Acts: in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. Jesus has already paid for our sins on the cross and proved it through his resurrection, so the good news must now be carried to every nation. This is not only for missionaries or a few committed people. It is about what Jesus came to do for each of us. Many people die every day without ever hearing about Jesus, and about 7,000 of the 17,000 people groups still have little Christian presence.
Making disciples means becoming spiritual parents
In Matthew 28, going, baptizing, and teaching are participles, while make disciples is the main verb. Disciple making means following Jesus as a student and then helping others do the same, as the rabbis of first-century Palestine did. Jesus chose twelve men and poured his life into them, so that they would become like him and carry on his work. Pastor Cha compares this to spiritual parenting: we must grow to maturity in faith so that we can bring others to Christ.
Come and see: Jesus welcomes our questions
In John 1, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel all came to Jesus, and Jesus met each of them personally, knowing who they were. Jesus invited them to come and see, and he welcomes our doubts, struggles, and hurts today as well. He wants to help us process our questions so that we come to know him not only as Messiah and Son of God but as someone who knows us, loves us, and has a plan for our lives. Friends who have walked through similar questions can help us along the way.
Hospitality opens the door to the gospel
Rosaria Butterfield, a former tenured professor and lesbian activist, came to faith through reading the Bible and through the simple hospitality of Pastor Ken Smith and his wife, who invited her to dinner. Her story shows that Jesus does not push people away but welcomes them. Butterfield encourages believers to practice this ordinary hospitality: to invite people, listen to them, and pray for them. Believers can bring the gospel to their neighbors by sharing their lives with them.
Apply to Life
- Let us pray for the people around us who are struggling and encourage them to come closer to Jesus.
- Let us go into our workplaces and neighborhoods with a sense of being sent by Jesus, showing kindness and praying for those around us.
- Let us bring our questions and hurts honestly to Jesus and to trusted friends, and not hide them.
- Let us practice ordinary hospitality by inviting others to a meal, a coffee, or a conversation about faith.
- Let us grow in faith so that we can become spiritual parents who help others follow Jesus.
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