Making disciples is about sending. Jesus told the disciples in John 20:21, “So, Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” That seems like a fairly innocuous statement. But in its context, Jesus had died on the cross. The women had found the tomb empty. They told the disciples. Peter and John ran to the tomb, and found things just as the women had told them. Now they are in a room, with the doors closed wondering what this means. Was Jesus dead and someone had stolen the body. Was He alive and in hiding? What was happening?
Then, with the doors closed, Jesus enters the room. He is alive and He is not hiding. He enters rooms without the use of doors. And what He says is, “…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” This means a sending that is commanded. This is a sending that is empowered. This means a sending that is purposeful. This means a sending that is for proclamation and ministry.
When we are making disciples of our children or within relationships within the church we are preparing them for a sending. We are not the ones who send them. We just prepare them. Jesus is still in the business of sending His disciples. It is our responsibility to make disciples who are ready and willing to go where Jesus sends. He knows exactly where He wants people in His world doing His work.
We teach people to read the Bible, pray, give, serve, and equip others. And we teach them to be sensitive to the Father’s leadership through the Holy Spirit so they will go where He sends. One question you need to be asking is this: “Father, where are you sending me today to serve You and Your Kingdom?”
If disciples are those who are sent, then first be a good disciple. Expect God to be sending you. He has sent you to the home or apartment or dorm you live in. He has sent you to the job or school or responsibilities or hospital or assisted living center where you will be today. He has sent you to the people you will see today. These are not accidental. Embrace this sending and see it as God’s purposeful plan.
The second question you need to be asking is this: “Father, since you have sent me to this place and to these people, how would You like to use me to prepare them?” God is sending them to, and He wants to use you in their preparation. He is probably using them to prepare you as well. But if we will be sensitive to how God may want to use us in other’s lives, we will be more intentional in our disciple-making.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
