In Matthew 28, appearing to his 11 disciples after his resurrection, Jesus has a few last words to say to them to propel them forward to life without him physically present. In 2 Corinthians, Paul offers his bits of wisdom as his farewell address to the contentious church in Corinth. With little time left, it's instructive to see what Jesus and Paul choose to say. They both focus on a good ending with their charge and benedictions as they send their people forth - as they "commission" them. They both essentially summarize what discipleship looks like.
Make disciples might be better phrased as "disciple others." Teach what Jesus has taught us. Put things in order. Live in peace with one another.
What does it mean to go forth without our teacher or mentor? Do we really know how to do whatever we've learned from our teachers? Are we paralyzed with our doubts?
Because some of the disciples in Matthew 28 doubt as they worship, it's helpful to note that Jesus knows his disciples haven't gotten everything figured out yet about how to disciple others. Because Paul leaves the Corinthian church still in disarray, he must count on God's grace to enable them to sort things out.
In spite of doubts and disarray, how are we too commanded to go forth? Let's remember that Jesus leaves us with the trinitarian reassurance and comfort that we are disciples in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and that Jesus will be with us to the end of the age.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelley
God's grace will sort us out
ReplyDeletehas already sorted us out
ReplyDelete