As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.…I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; (John 17:18, 20 NAS95)
I find it fantastic that Jesus delegated the very same task the Father gave to Him, to me (and all of us). As I have meditated on this passage, and others like it, God has shown me the deep connection it has to Genesis 1:26-28. All Jesus calls us to centers on fulfilling our design as God’s image-bearers. God always intended to work through others, through us, as we display His character from the inside-out.
A fraternity brother introduced me to Jesus and discipleship. God used others in Cru to establish and shape me as a disciple-maker. Others influenced me to follow Jesus in fulfilling His desires.
As I have chatted with God and grown to understand Jesus’ life and teaching, I just see God fulfilling His dream. He desires to fill the earth with His glory as the waters cover the sea (Is. 11:9, Hab. 2:14).
I have noticed a catch in discipling others, though, and to be honest, it has been very difficult for me to believe. The catch concerns believing God loves, and loves the good, the bad and the ugly in me. While I assent to that intellectually—practically and experientially, I see resistance in me to receiving that truth. Yet God, in the gentlest terms, shared with me, receiving that truth in full holds the key to my ability to reflect Jesus’ character, God’s glory: Love.
Imagining myself, as John the Apostle did, as the “disciple” whom Jesus loved brings me closer. Yet begs the question, can I live loved? By God? John lived loved.
Wow! Jesus did it first. John did it. He asks me to do it. And He asks me to invite others into that very same space, the Kingdom of God, the realm of God’s love experienced.
As I matured in Christ, that meant not just knowing about God as love, but experiencing God as love. In doing that, I have grown in familiarity with God, and my desire to make disciples has moved from obeying a command to imitating a lover: Jesus. Motivation abounds, and I long for people to know, intimately, the God I know through Jesus.
I can think of no better thing to do, than to join God in filling the earth with His glory by making disciples of Jesus, imitators of the best Lover Who has ever entered our world. Others to me to others: multiplying disciples.
For Reflection:
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NAS95)
- What are special moments you recall where God touched your heart in a way that communicated His love?
- How easy is it for you to live loved, as Jesus or John did?
