Disciple-Making Disciples
The term disciple, meaning student, can be found in a number of modern English words, such as discipline. That is to say, those who are called disciples have a certain discipline that they are studying. They are disciplined in paying attention and learning in this area of study. To say someone is a “disciple of Christ” is to then say that they are focused on and studying the works and teachings of Jesus, following after Christ and everything He believed. If this is what a disciple is, the question that should follows is, “What did Jesus teach and believe so that we may follow Him?” While there are a host of things that could be discussed, let’s focus in on the specific idea of what it means to “make disciples.”
The secular term for this act is called “proselytizing,” which is trying to make people believe like you. For Christians, this would include the concepts of evangelism and discipleship. If we are to believe and follow Jesus, we need to see if Jesus had an emphasis on evangelism and discipleship in his ministry. While this seems like an easy answer, for kicks and giggles let us look at the breadth of Jesus’ ministry. At the start of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus calls his initial disciples to be “fishers of men.” This is clearly a context of bringing men to themselves, calling men “fish,” and bringing the men to the fisherman. After fishing all night without catching anything, they do what Jesus said and they gather a multitude of fish. The story of Adoniram Judson’s missionary work in Burma parallels this biblical account. He had very little “success” in his evangelism during the first several years there. Yet, it is Judson’s missionary roots that helped create over 100 churches today and the second-largest Baptist association in the world. Judson knew that he also had the call to be a “fisher of men,” and yet, this call was not given directly to him, but to the original disciples. Why would Judson, or any other person, assume this call unto themselves as if it were their own?
Looking at the passage itself beginning in Luke 5:1, we see that after fishing all night without catching anything, once they do what Jesus said they gather a multitude of fish. Jesus calls them to leave everything and follow him to total abandonment, even to the point that he says the dead will bury the dead (Matthew 8:22). Like Abraham and Moses, the disciples didn't know where they were going, but unlike Abraham and Moses, they knew who would be with them on the journey. But what does “discipleship” truly look like? To be clear, Jesus never called people to “make a decision,” “sign a card,” or “close their eyes and raise their hands.” In fact, in Isaiah chapter 6, Isaiah recognized his wretchedness and realized that he doesn't even belong in the presence of a holy God. Isaiah then turned around and preached to the people outside of the holiest place of the temple. We see an early picture that to be a disciple is to saturate people in the majesty and mercy of God. This is the true knowledge and understanding that will drive missions and evangelism.
However, what does this really mean for us? Remember the words of Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Note specifically the phrase, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” What was one of those commandments that Christ gave to the original disciples? The Great Commission! Thus, the Great Commission is also a command for us, each believer who professes to follow Christ. Because it is one of the commandments to which we too are called to observe, we must continue the pursuit of the Great Commission. This is a reproducing commandment, continuing generation after generation. Each new generation of Christians must continue the pursuit of Christ-like living, which includes making disciples of all nations. This discipleship does not end with a conversation or decision, but instead includes walking alongside others to teach them God’s Word and ways.
Christians are to be “fishers of men.” Fisherman don’t catch fish simply by appearing like good fisherman, dressing the part, or being nice to other fisherman. Fisherman catch fish by throwing their nets or casting the lines into the water. They catch fish by doing this daily, pushing through empty nets and bare lines until they see a haul. Likewise, Christians must not rely on trying to be a nice person, looking the part, and being friendly to other believers as a means of evangelism and discipleship. While we should be kind and compassionate fishermen, we must also do the work of throwing our nets into the sea of lost, unsaved people in our world. We don’t bring them in with our wit or wile, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why Judson and many others took up the call and continued to cast their nets, even when times were difficult and the catch seemed small. We know that God is working through each of us to bring people to salvation. He is using His church to teach these people and to grow their knowledge and love for Him. With that knowledge and love comes the desire to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The cycle continues, creating disciple-making disciples. Will you cast your net? Will you follow Jesus by helping to make disciples? The sea is full and there is plenty of work to do!
