The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Â Â Â Â Matthew 28:16-20 (HCSB)
The disciples went to the mountain in Galilee as they were told. There is no indication that they knew what was going to happen, that this would be the last time they would see Jesus. They just knew that the risen Messiah had told them to “go†to this place. And so they did. As His disciple, do I do the same?
The disciples worshiped Him but some of them doubted. What did they doubt? Were they still uncertain that this really was Jesus? Were they in doubt that there was a “nextâ€? Did they think that there wasn’t anything else to do? If Rome wasn’t to be defeated (their dream), then what was the point of anything?
Jesus tells them what is next. It was time for them to step up and reproduce what Jesus had done with them. They were to go and make disciples. And not just to the Jews. That alone was out of their comfort zone. Jesus made disciples and look what that got Him? They were being sent on this dangerous mission. Like any other soldier, they were receiving their commission.
We have that same commission. Some of us are directed into truly dangerous areas. I have friends who are in places I cannot mention here because it might in some way put them in more danger. Most of us think we are persecuted when people reject us or insult us or pass some law we think limits our rights as a Christian. We haven’t come close to spilling blood or giving our lives for Jesus.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.     Romans 1:16 (HCSB)
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOOD NEWS and I believe that this is a key characteristic of a Christian father. A father who shows by his life and his witness that he is not ashamed to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is not an “either-or†characteristic. I believe you must share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others and walk that out in your every day life. If you have not share Jesus with someone, your children (at least!) family, friends, co-workers, strangers, then how can you look Jesus in the eye when you meet and say, “Yes, I did what You askedâ€.
A man of faith is an ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), following in the footsteps of Moses, David, John the Baptist, Paul, Peter, Thomas, and John. Not perfect but willing to go and speak as directed by the Holy Spirit. A man of faith is an example to his family and community of how to live his life with Jesus Christ and his relationship with Him is his #1 priority. He is not ashamed.
