Daily Dose of Hope

November 19, 2024

Day 3 of Week 34

Scripture: Isaiah 14-16; Matthew 28

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.

Today, we started our reading in Isaiah. In chapter 14, we continue an oracle against Babylon (which actually started in chapter 13). This is a prophecy about what will happen to the Israelites in the future. Yes, they will be conquered by Babylon and go into exile. But after the exile, they will be redeemed. God will once again choose them. Babylon, on the other hand, will experience God’s judgment. Chapters 15 and 16 include an oracle against Moab, a nation that had been enemy to Israel for years. This is an especially gruesome and heart-breaking prophecy. Even though we know that the Moabites were evil, it’s still hard to read.

Our New Testament reading is chapter 28 in Matthew, its final chapter. This includes both the resurrection and the Great Commission. I know there is always more to say about the resurrection, but we have (and will continue) to discuss resurrection as we read through the Gospels and the New Testament. Thus, I thought we would briefly chat about the Great Commission, which we find in Matthew 28:16-20. If you don’t recall, this is when Jesus tells his follows, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

There is a fair amount to unpack here but what I want to focus on is making disciples. Keep in mind that Jesus wasn’t merely suggesting we make disciples. It feels much more like a command here. As his followers, we are to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them the ways of Jesus. We don’t do this alone, but we rest in the promise that Jesus is with us all the time, guiding and leading us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But here is the big question: What does it mean to be a disciple?

It’s fairly simple. A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus. It is someone who actively is working/training to become more like Jesus (to do what Jesus does). A disciple is not someone who has simply said yes to Jesus, a disciple is someone who is actively training in the ways of Jesus and training others in the ways of Jesus.

Discipleship is not simply some acts of personal devotion in the morning, some bible study, prayer, and meditation. That may be a component of discipleship but there is so much more to it! Being a disciple is not something we do at church and then set it aside as we go back into the real world. Being a disciple is about devoting our whole life to being like Christ. Our whole life. It effects every area of our life. How can it not?

Let’s think about Jesus. In every area of his life, he taught about God. He taught about God’s Kingdom, he showed people this new way of being human. There was never a time where he said, “No, now this part of my life, faith doesn’t affect this. Leave me alone and let me do my own thing.” Discipleship is intricately connected to Lordship. There is no part of our life that does not fall under God’s reign. There is no part of our life that we don’t submit to God.

But how do we make disciples? Well, first, we have to become disciples ourselves. We have to be training to be more like Jesus. There is intentionality in this. How are you training to be like Jesus? What is your plan for spiritual growth? Once you have reflected on this, then think about how you will teach and train others. This is a privilege and responsibility that every single Christ-follower has. Every one of us.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki