Why do we disciple?
Last week, we learnt the definition of discipleship based on The Great Commission. It’s the Great Commission that drives our mission for discipleship but Matthew 22:34-40 is the Great Commandment that speaks to the motive for discipleship i.e. why we disciple. The Great Commandment, as spoken by Jesus, is two-fold:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (verses 37-39)
Our motive, of loving God and loving others, should drive our mission to disciple people of all nations. In return, when we disciple others, it shows our love for God as we care for the salvation and spiritual livelihood of all people. Without love for God or for people, our discipleship (and our lives) amount to little (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
The Greatest Commandment
In Matthew 22, the Pharisees and Saducees are plotting to trap Jesus through his words. They test him and challenge his authority, firstly about taxes, then about marriage at the resurrection. Then, an expert in the law (who would have had to known the 613 Jewish laws from the time) tested Jesus wanting to know which Jewish commandment is the greatest. Without hesitation, Jesus draws on two Old Testament passages, Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, to inform his answer, and concluding that, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (verse 40)” This sentiment is repeated throughout the New Testament highlighting the longevity and authority in Jesus’ wise words (John 13:34-35, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 John 4:20).
But, how does a discipler look to love God and love others?
How do we love God?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
As Jesus recites Deuteronomy 6:5, we must take notice of his use the possessive pronoun, ‘your’. This indicates that we have a personal relationship with God through our love for him. And we can only love God because he first loved us. It’s God’s love that initiates, inspires, incites and ignites our love for him (and his people, but more on that later). The repetition of “all” highlights that this command is to envelop every part of our lives. Every waking moment of our lives is dedicated to loving him, made evident through our worship and submission to God. It’s not enough for us to love God with everything, but Jesus highlights that takes all our heart (signifying our intellect), our soul (signifying our emotions), and our mind (signifying our desire or will). Our intellect, emotion and desires are to point to our love for God. What does this look like in your life? Do you think of God first thing in the morning? Or when you make significant or even small decisions? Is God at the forefront of all you do? This is what it means to truly, truly love God.
How do we love other people?
Jesus knows that our human nature means we’re geared to prioritise ourselves above others. At the worst of times, even when it’s detrimental to the lives of others. Knowing this, the second command is to, “love your neighbour as yourself.” This is also mentioned in Luke 10: 27, where Jesus repeats, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Similarly, in Luke 6:31, Jesus says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Would you treat yourself without consideration for your emotional, spiritual and physical safety? Jesus commands us to do the same to our neighbour. When we disciple others, we show love for them by looking out for their emotional, spiritual and even physical safety, as we would ourselves. And while loving God is the first and greatest, Jesus highlights that this second commandment is much like it. Meaning, it holds just as much weight and authority as the first commandment. For Jesus knew, that we cannot claim to love God and not love other people (and vice versa).
So, why do we disciple? Because we love God and we love people. In return, one of the many ways we can show our love for God and for others is through meaningful discipleship-focused relationships with all those who are willing.