This is the third in the series written by our friend, Charles Kridiotis on Discipleship. You can read his first post HERE and his second post HERE.
The one task that is on Father’s heart is, “As you are going about your daily life, keep on making disciples of all people groups.” This was meant, not only for the apostles, but for all disciples. This is implicit in, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”, which includes the disciples teaching new disciples that which came previously: “Go and make disciples.”
This takes on an even deeper and more powerful significance when considering how the Great Commission is expressed in John’s gospel,
JESUS’ PRAYER
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world…
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:18 – 23)
That is absolutely astounding! Jesus sends his disciples into the world in the same manner that the Father has sent him! This is reinforced three chapters later, where similar words are used,
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21 – 22)
ONENESS
To be one with the Father, the Son, and, by extension the Holy Spirit, is to be so enamoured with the Godhead, in heart (spirit), mind, soul and (bodily) strength – in full intimacy and unified agreement with him and his purposes as a people of God. This “oneness” is all inclusive, you cannot have Him, and not have His purposes. When we know, live, and do his expressed will, as revealed by the Holy Spirit through scripture, we will see his Kingdom come and his will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
WE ARE NOT ALONE
As disciples we are not left alone in this. After his resurrection Jesus spent almost 40 days teaching on the Kingdom of God and, just before his ascension, promised the gift of the Holy Spirit and power so that his disciples would be empowered for service and witness to the ends of the earth. Remember, after the resurrection, during those 40 days, Jesus appeared not only to the apostles but also to over 500 disciples (1 Corinthians 15:3 – 6). 120 of those disciples were present in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit came. So, we cannot excuse ourselves and say the Great Commission was only for the apostles. The subsequent spread of the gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God as described in the book of Acts bares witness to this reality.
If we are to live in true discipleship that will result in a Kingdom of God movement, living out the Great Commandment and Commission must be foundational to our walk with Jesus.