Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… Matthew 28:19 (CSB)
The command to make disciples is clear. There can be no misunderstanding of the mandate that Jesus gave his followers. And yet, discipleship is viewed as optional for those who want to be “advanced” Christ-followers.
We should start by asking, “What is a disciple?” Dictionaries define a disciple as someone who is a follower or pupil of a teacher, leader, or philosophy. In the New Testament a disciple refers to a person who believed that Jesus is God’s son and loved and obeyed him. The Greek word translated disciple literally means a learner.
According to Jesus, the demands on a disciple are high: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (CSB). This statement is a hyperbole meant to emphasize the importance of our relationship with Christ over all others.
Jesus went on to say: Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (CSB). To be a disciple means that we put Jesus at the front of all considerations and relationships. We are to be reminded that we are no longer in charge (as if we ever really were in charge), because we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
We must make no mistake. Jesus did not command his followers to make converts only. Churches and evangelists count raised hands and decisions, but discipleship takes time and is not as straightforward to evaluate. Yet, the command remains, “Go, and make disciples!”
The Cost of Discipleship
Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?” Matthew 19:27 (CSB)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the 20th century martyr, wrote of the great cost of “cheap grace” to the church and its disciples in the modern world. He saw far too many examples of a culturally accommodated and culturally captive Christianity and championed a costly discipleship.
He urged the church and its disciples to consider costly grace, to consider the cost of discipleship. Bonhoeffer contrasted cheap and costly grace:
“Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which one must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs us our lives. It is grace because it gives us the only true life.”
In Matthew 19, Jesus was explaining the difficulty of trying to hold onto worldly wealth while desiring to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26 (CSB)
At this point, Peter speaks up, reminding Jesus that they had left everything to follow him. Peter went on to ask, in effect, “What is in it for us?” Peter saw the cost of discipleship, but not the rewards. Jesus assured the disciples that the rewards of discipleship would pay off a hundredfold, and additionally, they would inherit eternal life.
The Making of a Disciple
After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:21–22 (CSB)
If the objective were to make as many converts as possible, Paul and Silas might not have returned to the cities that they had already visited. After all, many more places had yet to hear the good news about Jesus. This passage underlines the importance of discipleship.
Compared to discipleship, making converts is easy. In the parable of the sower, even those whose lives consisted of shallow rocky soil, receive the word with joy. It requires diligence, time, and patience, to remove the impediments necessary for healthy growth.
We thank God for those who have the gift of evangelism, but pastors and teachers, small group leaders and mentors, are necessary for faith to take hold and flourish. The apostle Paul was a great evangelist, but he also had the passion of a pastor.
To the Galatians he wrote: My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. Galatians 4:19 (CSB). A good definition of what it means to be a disciple is someone who has Christ formed in them.
We have seen that there is a cost of discipleship, but there is also a cost in making disciples. Disciples are not made overnight. There will be difficulties, and as Paul illustrates, the pain can be intense. There will be hardships to enter the kingdom of God, but it will be worth everything that it costs.
Counting the Cost
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— Luke 14:28 (NKJV)
It should be obvious that there is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It can cost relationships, livelihoods, and social standing. You may be mocked, ridiculed, and rejected. But if we keep our eye on the prize, we will realize that what is promised is worth everything.
What might not be as obvious is that there is a cost in making disciples, as well. Paul spoke of having sensations like labor pains while Christ formed in people. There will also be times of disappointment. Friends and close associates may fail. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life… 2 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)
But whether becoming a disciple or making a disciple, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.” Let’s fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples!
Steve Ekeroth
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