14 APR Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” John 16: 7-8
There is an interesting discipleship pattern that is subtle in the gospels. Jesus initially calls the disciples and tells them up front the vision he has for their lives. He tells them to follow him and he will make them into fishers of men, disciple-makers. Throughout the gospel account which covers their three years together, we see Jesus model for them everything they will be expected to do. Jesus gives them the opportunity to serve with Him but also gives them time to do ministry on their own while being observed.
They will begin to understand people from Jesus’ viewpoint. They will also be tested throughout many challenging situations so that their faith and dependence on Jesus would grow. By the time Jesus is ready to ascend to heaven, the disciples have reached the level of training needed to start a movement. Jesus charged them (and everyone who follows him) to go and make disciples, the very thing they were trained to do.
The next phase could only come if Jesus left. They had to be on their own and learn how to walk by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be their teacher, and comforter, and give them the power to do ministry and overcome sin. As disciple-makers, we too will have to train others to the point of doing the same thing. If we stay with them, it will hinder their development and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It will also hinder our walk because God has more for us to do outside of them.
Are you training disciple makers and then leaving them to it? Maybe you should.
Reading Plan: Psalm 136; Dan. 12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12; John 16:1-15
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