SECRET #62 OF FOLLOWING JESUS

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"Make disciples of all nations" is the command we just discussed that Jesus gave to His disciples. It's important, however, to examine just what is the making of a disciple. You see, there is no way you or I or anyone has the capability to make a disciple. Remember, I said disciple making is caught and not taught. There is something more to it than that. This brings us to SECRET #62: The follower of Jesus knows disciples aren't made, but summoned.
The only way a person becomes a disciple is to be summoned. You see, a disciple is literally a follower, therefore a follower must be called into action to start following. The one who calls you to follow is the teacher-the leader-the Master. What I'm learning is that the only one I've ever encountered who is worthy of being a Master, my Master, is Jesus.

When you examine Jesus, you will frequently hear the two most revolutionary words ever spoken-two words that have actually turned the world upside down. These two words are "FOLLOW ME!"

One of the earliest times Jesus delivered this challenge was with a group of fishermen-Peter, Andrew, James and John. Take a look into this scene: Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22)

Then there was the special encounter Jesus had with a tax collector by the name of Matthew. As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. (Matthew 9:9)

A disciple or follower must be summoned or invited to follow. Once invited, you start following as soon as possible. Why? It's because this invitation is from the Master, Himself.

Jesus gives us some insight into how this summoning process occurs in the 6th chapter of John's Gospel. He says, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." (John 6:65) So, it's God, the Father, who is behind it all. Earlier in this same scene Jesus says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him."

So, here's how it seems to work. Jesus does what His Father moves Him to do and say. And, in the case of inviting people to follow Him, the Father is the one doing the drawing in of the potential followers. A full-court press is needed to make disciples of all nations. There are three players in the making of disciples. FIRST-The Father through the Spirit is drawing all people to Jesus.

SECOND-Jesus is the irresistible one people are drawn to. THIRD-Those who are already followers of Jesus are diligently introducing people to Jesus-advancing the conversation of Jesus whenever possible.

As you can see Jesus is central to the entire process. The Father draws people to Jesus and His followers get to know Him personally and make Him known in every way possible. Jesus is the Master worthy of an answer to His call to follow.

Jesus reveals this before and after His command to "make disciples of all nations" when He said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) SECRET #62 is: The follower of Jesus knows disciples aren't made, but summoned. Have you felt the drawing of the Father or the calling of Jesus to follow? Then, do whatever you have to do to follow Him as closely as you can.