OBEDIENT FOLLOWERS OF JESUS MAKE DISCIPLES
One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” —Luke 20:1-8
“One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” This is what Jesus did while He was on the earth— He taught people and preached the gospel. Our Lord has given us the command to do the same.
The religious leaders of that day challenged His authority to do this. Jesus responded with this question, “Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” These leaders were not going to acknowledge that John’s authority to baptize came from heaven, which it did (John 1:6). If they acknowledge that John’s authority to baptize came from heaven then they would have to acknowledge John’s message that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God and the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 35). But they also did not want to say “from man” because they were afraid the people would stone them because the people were “convinced that John was a prophet.” So the leaders said they did not know and by not answering His question Jesus said He would not answer their question.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “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 all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJq1N4PiH28
In the above verses it is very clear that Jesus has “ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH.” With that authority He has sent us to “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 all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The question I have for myself and for you— “Are we being obedient to this commission He has given us?” Am I/are you making disciples that are taught to make disciples that are taught to make disciples that are taught to make disciples…? Asked our Lord to identify for us who He would like us to disciple and then teach them what Jesus has taught us. One of the very first things is to have the person you disciple to ask our Lord to identify someone they are to disciple and each disciple is to do this. That is what obedience to the commission is. Discipleship is teaching another to obey all the Lord has taught us. This is restated in II Timothy 2:2— “And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.” 1-Jesus discipled Paul and others 2- Paul discipled Timothy and others 3- Timothy discipled faithful men 4- faithful men disciple others 5- others are to disciple others… we are to disciple others… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Are you discipling someone? If not, why not? It is disobedience not to be doing so! Remember, we go in Jesus’ authority. This is His desire. May it be our desire as well. Pray for that person to disciple and then do what our Lord has commanded us to do. We will give an account one day. May you and I hear those words from Jesus— “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Oh yes, Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY