Making disciples of the nations

19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This should be our mantra as a church! I find it very interesting that Jesus chooses to use a fisherman, as one who brings souls unto the Lord. If any of you have ever taken some time to go fishing (I'm looking at you Mark o_O), then you would know that one thing it requires a great deal of is patience. Fish can be very particular, distrustful (for good reason in this case), or just not hungry. Humans work much the same way. Many scorn God from a lack of trust (maybe they were caught by false doctrine in the past, or just got "hooked", and didn't get any substance), or perhaps they just aren't in the right place at the right time. Which is why we need as many fishermen as possible; the more people that take the bait, the greater Jesus' catch will be when he comes back again!

Getting back the concept of "disciple", it is only mentioned twice, both in the book of Isaiah:

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples (Isaiah 8:16).

4 The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. 5 The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. 6 I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting (Isaiah 50:4-6).

If there is anything that we can take away from this, it is that disciples have both the law, the ability to listen, the ability to speak in an encouraging manner, and humility in the face of adversity. All characteristics we are striving for, amen! While it is not mentioned in the New Testament that Jesus' beard was ripped out, he was beaten across his back with a whip called a flagrum, for what many estimate to be 39 blows (1 less than that stated in the Torah, the Jewish Old Testament). Isaiah of course also has many prophetic chapters detailing the coming of our King. What that translates to, is that we should see Jesus as our example of what a disciple should be! A disciple is not a part time job, but something our lives revolve around. The more we look to him, the more these characteristics will become a part of us. I know I feel like a hypocrite saying these things, especially since I missed prayer meeting last night ;(, but that does not mean I give up! I look to remember that every mistake I make is mine alone, and it is not about trying, it is about trusting. Trust is not built in a day, week, month, or even years. It is a lifelong affair, just as we trust that everyday we will be provided the oxygen, food, clothing, shelter and water we need to survive. Keep on, this is something worth fighting for!