Pageviews past week

Friday, March 16, 2018

Hitchhikers Along the Way

Yet again, I’ve been reminded there are no coincidences with God. For the past few weeks I’ve been studying The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry. I was doing my homework when I came across several questions addressing The Great Commission. Well, wouldn’t you know that today’s post is Matthew 28:16-20!

In the chapter titled: The Way of Intentionality, Mr. Mowry asks why Jesus placed an emphasis on making more disciples. My response:  Once we learn something, the goal is to pass on that knowledge. We need to share what we’ve learned with others, not keep it to ourselves.

Believing in salvation is great, but if we’re not sharing that with others, then do we really believe?Each of us is charged with following in Jesus’ footsteps while stopping to pick up others along the way. It’s almost like picking up a hitchhiker even though your Mom always tells you not to. Someone (non-believer) needs to get somewhere (to Jesus), but they don’t have the means (knowledge of Him). If we have what they need (relationship with Christ) then shouldn’t we stop and help them get where they need to be (Heaven)?

Now, I’m not saying I’d stop on 270 and pick up a random stranger, but maybe I should. I certainly would pick up a friend or relative if I saw them standing on the side of the road in need of help. And hopefully if I help them, they in turn will help others and the cycle will continue. The intent of Jesus’s words during the Great Commission was not to just convert a few people 2000 years ago, but to multiply the number of disciples again and again throughout time.

But something to keep in mind, is that unlike many of the original disciples, we’re not all called to travel long distances. What if I’m in prison or confined to a hospital bed. Does that mean I can’t make disciples? Surely not. Disciples can be made from a 6x8 cell just as surely as they can be made from the open road! (Just ask Paul.) The key is to be deliberate/purposeful when coming alongside others.

So, where/how is God calling you to make disciples? If you have the means, will you lead the way?

No comments: