It's Time to Go
by
Bryan Craig
"Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Did you read the verse above, or did you read, "Go make disciples..." and stop short, saying to yourself, "Yeah, Yeah...we've heard that before, especially from Influencers." I would say to you that we must take Jesus' words seriously, for I believe He is speaking to us, and I believe Influencers is part of His plan. These were the last words recorded in the book of Matthew, and theologians call this, "The Great Commission." This account could be coupled with Luke's account of Jesus' last words in Acts 1:8,
"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."
It is clear that Jesus intended for His disciples to GO and continue His ministry. He claimed He had taught them everything they needed to know, and furthermore, He would be with them, through the Holy Spirit, to the very end. It is also clear the He wanted them to GO all over the world. If those early disciples were anything like us men, I'm sure some of them still were a little unclear, needing more specific instructions. Men need a game plan, and they need tools at their disposal. Thankfully, Jesus had given them a trial run before He left.
In Matthew 9:36-37, it says,
"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.'"
Then, Jesus told His 12 Disciples to GO. He gave them a simple message,
"The Kingdom of Heaven is near." He also told them:
- Give the message
- Heal the sick
- Raise the dead
- Cleanse the Lepers
- Drive out demons
- Take no money
- Take no extra clothes
- Someone will provide you accommodations
- Keep going until you find someone ready for the message
- Be on guard against men
- Don't worry if you get arrested
I don't know about you but all of this sounds pretty radical, especially by today's standards. I think it was radical by the standards of that day, as well, for Jesus goes on in Matthew 10:26-42, to give them a pep talk.
"Don't be afraid..."
"Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge Him before my Father in heaven...."
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
"If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Jesus wanted them to GO. He never intended for them to stay in the "Holy Huddle." And this wasn't just for "The Twelve!" No, in Luke 10, he records that later, Jesus appointed 72 disciples, and sent them out two by two, with the very same instructions He had given the 12. Yes, Jesus was multiplying His leaders, but He expected them all to GO. As they went out to different cities, totally trusting in Him and His power, they saw amazing things.
So, after they witnessed Jesus die and rise from the dead, which gave them all the authority and validity they could ever have, and He gave them one final word to GO, they knew what He meant. His life and His message was not to be contained. It had to GO forth and multiply into the lives of other believers.
I was meeting with my Journey group this week, as we discussed what it meant to "make disciples." We talked about coming alongside other men and walking with them, just like Jesus did. We talked about teaching them to read God's Word, teaching them to pray, challenging them to serve. In the midst of our pondering, one brother spoke up,
"I think Jesus just wants us to share His love."
Wow! That just about summed up everything! As we walk with Jesus, and abide with Him, His love flows into our lives and permeates our entire being. It transforms us and changes our perspective. This love cannot be contained, for it is too powerful. It always overflows and finds its way out of us to others. His love, working through us, is what will minister to others. Jesus even commented on this at the end of His teaching on the Vine and the branches. After teaching them about Abiding, He says,
"Love each other."
In 2001, God took a small group of ordinary men in N.W. Arkansas and taught them about Abiding in Him. The love they experienced could not be contained, as the Holy Spirit challenged them to GO and share this love with other men in their region. Then, they were inspired to GO to Southern California, then to Tulsa, then to Egypt, then to Bakersfield, then to Brazil, then to Memphis. This small group of men has been multiplied into over 5000 men who have been given His love. God is still saying GO to the ends of the earth.
Brothers, if you are receiving this devotional, you have most likely been the recipient of God's love through Influencers. If so, what are you doing with it? Are you keeping it to yourself, in the confines of your Inner Chamber with the Lord? Or is the Holy Spirit telling you to GO? There are so many men, "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" who need someone to come alongside them and love them and teach them about Jesus and then, to tell them to GO share it with others. Just like the early disciples, it may seem radical and scary, but as you answer His call, He will take care of everything and you will see amazing things. Influencers, everywhere, I say to you,
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR....IT'S TIME TO GO!
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35
