After the resurrection of Jesus, He was on this earth ministering for 40 days. Matthew records some of Jesus’ most important last words before He ascended back to heaven.  Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even til the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJ). The King James Bible says “Go ye therefore and teach”.  The Vines Expository Dictionary defines disciple as “a learner”. It denotes one who follows one’s teaching. A disciple was not only a pupil but an adherant; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.

If we are to be a disciple of Jesus, then we must imitate Jesus. The Bible gives us many things that Jesus said we must do if we are to be a disciple of His. We must be willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross. “Then Jesus said unto His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).  Luke 9:23 says “We must take up our cross daily”. We don’t just decide to serve our Lord some time, but all the time.

All four Gospels close the same way with the command to Go and make disciples. See Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-48. In His high priestly prayer to the Father in John 17:18 Jesus said “As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”. Again in John 20:21 Jesus said “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you”.  

So if we are to be a disciple of Jesus we must “Go” and make more disciples. For one to go does not necessarily mean he has to go to another country; but be willing to go next door, down the street, or across town to tell of Jesus’ saving grace.

I believe this is a mission that most are failing in. Most churches are not teaching discipleship classes. It is said that only about two percent of Christians ever share their faith with anyone else. That’s sad. To be a disciple, we must Go. Jesus did not go to a select few but to all His followers. The very last command He gave before he ascended back to the Father was “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

To be a disciple of Jesus, He must be first in our lives. See Luke 14:26; Luke 14:33. John 8:31 says to be a disciple of Jesus we are to “continue in His word”; and John 15:8 says we are to “bear much fruit” for Him. After all, we are the only light on earth now. If we don’t shine for Jesus and do His work, how will it be done?

So, Church, how do we respond to the clear teaching of God’s word? It’s time to get busy before its too late