Explore Christianity

Rev Graeme - Sept 2011

I have been thinking a lot recently about the word ‘disciple’. What does it mean? Do we know the importance of it? In our Lord’s understanding it seems very important indeed. Here are some words from the very end of the Gospel of Matthew:

And Jesus came and said to them, ”All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

I think it would be very fair to guess that the little band of disciples (later to be known as apostles) had those words from Jesus imprinted on their brains. If you were a disciple I think you would as well. So I would like to say two things concerning this.

First, to be disciples is to have an active desire to become increasingly like the master/teacher. This is a whole lot more than simply learning what he knows, or gaining a skill that he has. No, it is the desire increasingly to tick like he does. As time goes on, people should be able to look at the disciple and see and even experience what the master/teacher is like. So Christian people should be those who are becoming increasingly like Jesus Christ. Of course, that does not mean we all have to be male and presumably grow a beard! It does mean that Christian people should have the same morals, motivation, sacrifice, source of joy, response to criticism, love of people, divine help, etc. etc. etc.... as Jesus Christ!  Now, we all have a long way to go! That is obvious! But have we chosen that pathway for our lives? And do other people know that we have ?

Second, we are given the task of helping other people to become disciples. We are called to have a strong motivation within us, a strong engine that seeks to give many other people the very best opportunity of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. So, if  you are a Christian and you are reading this; how big is that engine? If we have that engine, that desire, within us,  then we will find ways to draw people to our Christian faith.

So, let us get on with being good disciples, and making new ones too! We can all help each other with this, and God will certainly help us !

Always with love and respect,         Rev Graeme.