Go And Make Disciples

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

a prayer to open

Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

May your Kingdom come, may your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus’ last command to his disciples was “Go tell others! Invite them in! Share with them what I’ve taught you!” (see verses 19-20). How the early disciples did this is what we see in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. But there can be no doubt that extending the invitation to others continues to be Jesus’ command to us. The real question is, why would they listen to us? They won’t if our lives look just like everyone else’s. But if our lives speak love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; if we love those the world discards or hates; if we show mercy and forgiveness beyond what is expected; and if we live for the sake of others, those who come across our paths won’t be able to turn away. They will listen because our lives say what we believe: that Jesus is Lord and we follow him alone.

• What does your life say?
• How likely is someone to listen to you if you tell them about the life Jesus offers?
• Spend a few minutes remembering you are in God’s loving presence, looking at what others see when you’re at work, church, or home, or in your community stores, restaurants, or public spaces.

Pray out of whatever surfaced in your time of reflection.