A Year with Jesus: 'Immanuel: Making Disciples'

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

What Jesus Might Say

Dear Disciple,

I want you to "make disciples." I want you to "go out" of the security of your own comfort zone, friends, or culture to share My good news with anyone from your neighbors to people of other cultures. I want you to "wash them through baptism" in the name of the "triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." I want you to walk beside these new disciples: "Form them in the practices... that I have taught you, and show them how to follow the commands I have laid down for you."

These words are commonly called My "Great Commission." They were my parting words to My closest followers. I shared these words with them shortly before I ascended back to the Father. On Pentecost after My ascension, I sent the Spirit to empower My disciples to fulfill My commission. I have also given the Spirit to empower you to fulfill this same commission. I want all people to know the grace of the Father, the sacrificial love that I have for them, and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit Who lives inside My disciples.

My charge is a huge challenge. Some of My followers have taken this commission seriously. Others play at fulfilling it. So many in your world today either are ignorant of this commission or have chosen to ignore it. However, I want you to know that My Great Commission is just as important to Me today as it was when I spoke it to My first disciples.

Today, I want to emphasize an important aspect of My Great Commission: It contains My fourth Immanuel saying in Matthew's gospel. As you live out this commission, I will be with you every step of the way. I will be Immanuel to you. My presence will go with you wherever you go. I will be present with you as long as you have breath. And when your body loses its breath, I will be there to welcome you into My presence (Philippians 1:19-23). Nothing will separate you from My love for you (Romans 8:32-39). I will be with you. I will be Immanuel, God with you... always!

Verses Jesus Might Suggest

I will be with you, so please read carefully and obey what I ask of you. Your obedience will change the world, and I will be with you in that world wherever you go!
Jesus came forward and addressed His beloved disciples.

Jesus:
I am here speaking with all the authority of God, Who has commanded Me to give you this commission: Go out and make disciples in all the nations. ...wash them through baptism in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then disciple them. Form them in the practices and postures that I have taught you, and show them how to follow the commands I have laid down for you. And I will be with you, day after day, to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

Our Response in Prayer

Almighty God, I promise that by the power of the Spirit within me I will answer Jesus' call to make disciples. I will seek out those who need Your grace and introduce them to Jesus regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, or social status. I commit this to You in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About This Devotional

A Year with Jesus is a daily devotional written to help us all reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.

This devotional begins each year on November 30th, written by Phil Ware in the first-person narrative.

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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