We all know what Jesus’ final marching orders to His disciples were before He ascended; “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19,20) If we claim to be a follower of Jesus, those are our marching orders, too. Basically, do you love Jesus? Then go, make disciples!
The question of who our disciple is varies from person to person. For some, it is clear. Make disciples of your children or your Small Group. But, for others, it might be making disciples of your co-workers, neighbors, or friends at church. Regardless, as Christians, we are all called to make disciples.
Recently, I read a fascinating verse in Zechariah. I thought it gave additional insight into making disciples. Zechariah was prophesying that (because Israel had rejected the good shepherd), they were going to get a bad shepherd. It was fascinating to see the marks of a bad shepherd. “For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.” (Zechariah 11:16)
What is the connection between making disciples and being a good shepherd? Both have a large aspect of providing spiritual care for someone.
Read verse 16 again. A good shepherd cares for and seeks the lost. They help the hurting. But, they also strengthen the healthy. What a helpful filter that is for us as potential disciple makers! Are we seeking after the lost around us? Are we helping the hurting people in our world? Do we spend time strengthening the strong? Each one of us tends to view one of these areas as the most important. God calls us to all three!
Shepherding,
Josh
Posted in A Word from the Pastor