Part of our culture at BEYOND is to be lifelong learners so that we may do whatever God asks of us.
Recently, Joel* was working on a disciple-making lesson he would share with Tazig* followers of Jesus. It covered two main Scripture passages: John 20:19-23 and Philippians 2:1-11.
Joel commented: “These two passages are so theologically rich, and so much could be said, debated, and fought over. But if we take that approach, we can easily miss the simple message. In John 20, Jesus appears to his disciples, gives His peace, then says, “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Jesus sends out his disciples in the same way He was sent to earth by His Father. We must therefore ask, “How was Jesus sent?” Philippians 2 tells us of Christ’s attitude in His obedience to His Father, and the Apostle Paul tells us to have the same “mindset” or “attitude.” Jesus’ attitude was a servant’s mindset, willing to forsake all His rights, being completely obedient – even unto death on a cross.
“These passages always challenge me,” Joel says. “Compared to what God asked Jesus to do, my task is rather easy, and my burden is light. Yet I struggle to have the same mindset and attitude as Christ. It has been particularly difficult with the challenges COVID has introduced. But as so often happens, in preparing to train others, I find myself being trained. Perhaps that is why Jesus’ statement in John 20:21 and Great Commission in Matthew 28 is for all believers. In making disciples, we become better disciples. I invite you to look at these two passages today and ask, ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ Then take the challenging and more critical step: be obedient to what He tells you.”
*pseudonyms