Dear Friends
Disciple-Making : A life in the Sandwich.
The Great Commission does not only envision the church – it also strategizes the Body of Christ.
Mat 28:18: “ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Mat 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The Commission to live your life – your everyday, ordinary life – disciple making-life in the sandwich – 2 layers with a filling.
Mat 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”.
JESUS IS KING / LORD
Mat 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”.
MY LIFE AND MINISTRY
Mat 28:20: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.
JESUS IS HERE
V 18 : What happened on the cross? Many will say : “Jesus died for my sins!”. 100%. BUT – the inside of the cross is that Jesus was crowned as KING. He rules – bringing His authority – His Kingdom – to every cm of creation. Looking at the world it does not look like Jesus rules. Because he rules not from the top – with power – forcing His Kingdom. His character causes Him to rule from the bottom, servanthood, loving unconditionally. True love does not force – it INVITES. The sacrament of the rulership is not a crown – it’s a washbasin and a towel. The primary place where He is expected to rule are the lives of His followers. I have no control over Putin, very little control over poverty, corruption etc. But I have 120 % control over who and to what extent I allow control of my own life. A battle of two kingdoms – mine and God’s.
Matt 28:19 implicates my whole life – my lifestyle – my time, resources, values – my DNA. Sunday morning as well as Monday-Friday. Where I am when I breathe.
V 20 : The reality is that Jesus did not leave the disciples on the mountain. He left to be present in a new way through the Spirit. I cannot be in any place where Jesus is not present. When I arrive, He is already waiting for me. I cannot bring / take Him anywhere. I have my being in Him. Where I am – He is – to comfort me, not only as a Saviour – but as a COACH – “do like this – say this – think like this” (“the Spirit leads us in all truth”). The real question is: “Lord how would you handle this situation if you were me now?”.
Often, we take verse 19 out between verses 18 and 20. Take my ministry out – my job – my farm, my business, my church. Then it becomes MINE. Where I call the shots – have all authority – as if I am on my own…
The sandwich is the reality of disciple making – of living my whole life – not only my church life – my everyday life – in between these two layers. Outside the sandwich – no disciple making. No hope – for me, the church, communities, my country. Inside the sandwich – life in abundance – heaven on earth before I die.
This is the invitation – get into the SANDWICH!
Johann Theron