"Lighting the Fire"
Jotting – Week 40

GO!

Go as a Disciple

In 1992, Dr. Arnold Schmidt and I were privileged to travel to Czechoslovakia as a team to encourage and train Sunday school workers at two different workshops for the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia. At that time Arnold served as chief editor of Sunday school material for Concordia Publishing House and I edited the Primary level. We arrived a few days before the workshops began, and the church there put us under the supervision of a young guide and translator, 15-year-old Andrej Koperdan.

Andrej was an amazing teenager–a true disciple of Jesus. He was very knowledgeable about Slovakia's history, about religion, about his church. He had read all the books in the series "How to Respond to . . . Islam, New Age, Satanism, the Cults, etc."–in English (published by CPH), so he would have an answer for anyone who confronted him on these issues. He had helped translate the CPH Primary Sunday school material from English to Slovak for use in newly reforming classes in Slovak churches.

Andrej translated easily for us when we brought greetings from The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to different congregations, also translating sermons to us along the way. He spent three days with us, never complaining, always cheerful, even delaying his dinner to translate the many questions and answers that flew back and forth when we ate at his parents’ apartment. His dream was to bring many young people into the church.

When we rode on buses, Andrej always paid for our fare, though other passengers seemed to ride free. When I asked him why he paid (I thought perhaps the others had passes or at a certain age could ride without paying), he responded quite simply:  “I do it because I’m a Christian.”

A disciple, according to two definitions in the  American Heritage Dictionary is 1. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another; and 2. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. Both these definitions described Andrej very well. From Dictionary.com comes this definition: “a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; a follower.” Both dictionaries list the 12 and the 72 disciples of Jesus in their definitions as well.

When Jesus said, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), He was saying much more than “Name them as Christians.” Jesus wants His followers to learn: “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them” (Matthew 5:1, 2a) ... and to study and dwell in His Word: “‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed’” (John 8:31).  Are you into God’s Word daily, discovering what God would teach you about Himself, about His Kingdom, about the work He would have you do? Is God’s Word in your heart, in preparation for giving an answer to all who ask?

Jesus wants His disciples to call to Him in times of trouble–and to show others that they too have a sanctuary, a source of forgiveness and guidance: “Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" (Matthew 8:25) Is Jesus your first place of refuge? Do you help others to seek Him in their despair and helplessness, in their struggles over sin? Do you point others to the cross?

Jesus wants His disciples to open homes and hearts in hospitality to the homeless, the outcasts of society: “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples” (Matthew 9:10). When is the last time you invited others to have dinner with you–others who would not be able to reciprocate? Have you participated in delivering meals to the poor, provided dinner for someone recently come home from the hospital, taken food to those who are hungry?

Jesus wants His disciples to go and work the harvest, to seek out those who don’t know Him as Savior and to tell the Good News: “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few’” (Matthew 9:37). How many of your neighbors know Jesus as their Savior? I was overwhelmed by the quickness that our son and daughter-in-law exhibited in beginning a neighborhood Bible study in their home–within weeks after moving.

Jesus wants His disciples to have compassion on others and act on that compassion: “But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34). There are so many searchers in our world today–living right next door, across the street, and around the corner. What’s your compassion level? I know mine needs to be raised.

Jesus wants His disciples to acknowledge who He is: “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ’” (Mark 8:29). Have you ever told anyone, like Andrej above, “I do it because I’m a Christian.” Do your actions, your attitude, your love prompt others to ask, “Why are you so different?”

Jesus wants His disciples to welcome little children: “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God’” (Mark 10:14). Today’s people are so very different in their attitudes toward children. Children are seen as disposable (number estimated killed before they were born since 1973 equals 48,589,993); children are ignored, abused mentally, physically, sexually; left to die or starve, beaten, chained; shunned even from worship services; bypassed or overlooked when viewing a community’s or congregation’s needs. How does your congregation reach out to its children, the children in the neighborhood, the world’s children?

Jesus wants His disciples to pray: “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1). What a privilege to pray and to lead others to their heavenly Father, where all needs and desires can be expressed; where sins are confessed; where praise is lifted up; where thanks is spoken, where a relationship is built between a Father and a child.

Jesus wants His disciples to serve one another in love: “‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you’” (John 13:14-15); and to love each other: “‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’” (John 13:35). What’s on your agenda this week for “washing feet”?

Pray: Lord God, heavenly Father, I call myself a Christian, knowing I am saved by the precious blood of Jesus. But Father, so very often I am more concerned with my own needs than the needs of others. I wait for someone to show me love, to listen to me, to fulfill my expectations instead of loving others through “deeds of kindly love,” or listening to others and speaking the truth of You in love. Forgive me for not heeding Your voice, for the times I have neglected to follow You and Your leading, for ignoring those around me who sit in the darkness and despair of sin. Shine on me, Lord, and let me carry the light of Your love and salvation to all with whom You bring me into contact. Make me a true disciple, a servant, a follower of my Lord Jesus Christ. In His strong and holy name I pray. Amen.