Day 50

Peter leads a large group of disciples to a mountain where Jesus will once again give them their marching orders. Then they make their way back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit as the movement switches into its next multiplication phase. Let's look at these last two meetings.

Read: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-11

What were the marching orders of Jesus? (Matt. 28:16-20)

What role did the Holy Spirit now play in Jesus' absence?

Why do you think the ascension was important to Jesus?

When and where will we see Jesus again (Zech. 14:4-9)

Peter leads this group to the mountain, and they find Jesus waiting. They worship Him as the risen Savior of the world. Here on this mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had asked them to come (Matt 28:16), Jesus sums up His life's work and gives them a straightforward command– to make disciples. That's right; the command is not to "Go" but to "make disciples." There is only one central command in this verse, and there are three main verbs. Let me walk you through it. The first verb is "go," which has the idea of "as you go." Thus, Jesus tells the disciples, "As you go through life, make disciples." As we walk through our daily life activities, we need to make it our goal to invest in others, telling them the Good News of who Jesus is. Tell people that He is the way to God the Father (John 14:6). This is called evangelism.
Jesus also says that his idea of making disciples is for all nations. It's transcultural; it is for the whole world. The gospel is for everyone, regardless of race, creed, color, or religious background. Therefore, the movement of disciple-making, Jesus' style, is to span the globe. The second verb is to "baptize." Remember, baptism in Jesus' day was a form of identification. Thus, we are to help people identify with Jesus, His message, and His mission. Paul continues that teaching and says that we are "joined" with Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism. This is what we call edifying. We help them become one with the person and work of Jesus. The last verb is to "teach." Teach everything that Jesus commanded. Remember, Jesus told us that if we love Him, we will do what He says. This is called equipping. Thus, we are called to make disciples by doing three things:
We are called to evangelize the lost.
to edify the believer  
To equip the disciple with a lifestyle of obeying Jesus and devoting their lives to making more disciples who can then make more disciples.

This making of disciples fulfills a new commandment- to love one another so that by our love, the world will know that we are His (John 13:34-35). A disciple is known by his/her supernatural love. It is a lifestyle of loving God and others, a Christ-centered lifestyle, not me-centered.

This making of disciples happens as we walk through life. A second command is given in this passage in the small word "idou." It is usually translated as "behold" or "lo." We might use this word to regain someone's attention, such as "look" or "Listen up." Jesus uses this word to recapture the disciples' attention. They've just been given their marching orders; Make disciples who are baptized and taught to obey all I've commanded you". Now, as they process that command, Jesus says, "idou".... look... pay attention. It simply means that as we go through life, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus– because He is with us always, even to the end of the age! If you are a college student, be conscious as you walk to and from classes throughout your day and prioritize investing in others, telling them that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the lifestyle Jesus seeks, not a program or a religion. Share Jesus with your coworkers and clients if you work at a job. Tell them that Jesus is the way. Every day you encounter someone you can evangelize, edify or equip. Live a Jesus-like lifestyle in front of others. Keep your eyes on Him. Make it your passion for making disciples.

This is not rocket science- it is easy to understand but tough to prioritize. When you start making disciples and stop playing at church, your life may turn upside down. Satan will do everything to get you to focus on yourself and not on Jesus. Even though Jesus' strategy for making disciples is simple to understand, it sometimes seems impossible. That is why Jesus left us with a promise, "I am with you always…." Our only hope is to die to ourselves and allow Jesus to make disciples through us. That is the exchanged life, your life for His life, death to self so that Jesus might live in us (Gal. 2:20). It is the mystery that Paul talks about: "Christ in you" (Col. 1:27). Jesus is telling his disciples to keep their eyes on Him as they make these disciples.

From this mountain-top experience, He leads the team back to Jerusalem and then to Bethany. On the Mount of Olives, he tells them, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). We are witnesses of the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are His disciples who love Him and prove that love by obeying Him. He then ascends to heaven, like the king who left for a short while, leaving the servants with ten mins and telling them to do business for Him. He, too, will return, and each will have to give an account of how they did with the job that they were given. How will it go with you when Jesus returns or calls you home to heaven?

When Jesus returns to claim His rightful Kingdom, will He find you making disciples? Will He find you living for yourself, playing church, or will you be dying to yourself and living for Him? The daily choice is yours. Choose life because Jesus is life, and you will live. So may He find you faithfully making disciples that will, in turn, create more disciples!

Don't stop meeting with those you've been investing in. Instead, make a plan to go deeper in understanding who Jesus is. Then, go through this study with another friend and make more disciples!

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
-Jesus

This study is over. It's the end! But now you have a choice. While this study has reached its end, its impact is up to you.

You can be finished. Or You can allow this to be the foundation you need to fulfill the "everyday" command of Jesus.

Are you ready to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded, while keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus?

Is it the end or a new beginning?