The Prompt
In last week’s blog posting, we looked at fruit as character traits, some good, and some bad. Good fruit glorifies God. Bad fruit shows that the tree itself is bad, and that tree is cut down and tossed into the fire.
This week we are looking at the fruit of a Christ-follower from a different angle, that of making disciples.
The Commission
And Jesus came and said to [the disciples], “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:18-20, ESV [bracketed mine]
The passage above, from Matthew, is commonly called “The Great Commission.” It is an enormous task, and it is a commissioning, so the title fits. A similar sending is found in Mark 16:14-18.
Before even looking at what Jesus called the disciples to do, it is worth noting that he established the fact of his authority to do so, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” I have the authority to tell you what I’m about to tell you. Jesus is King, and it is the king who calls the shots.
King Jesus just directed his subjects, his disciples, to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing those disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We understand that and, at first glance, it seems to apply only to the disciples sitting there with Jesus when he said it. But look more closely.
The next phrase in Jesus’ commission applies that same commission to me, and to you. …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
What did Jesus just command his disciples to do? To “go make disciples,” and then teach those disciples to obey all that King Jesus commanded which includes going and making disciples and then teaching those disciples to go and make disciples. It is a cyclical, never-ending command.
Many have pointed out to me that evangelism just isn’t their gift. They’re not good at it. I understand that some people are much better at it than others, while also understanding that Jesus has instructed all of us to do it to the best of our abilities. Some people are gifted for service1 but I cannot use that as an “out” to say I don’t have to serve because it isn’t my gift. We are all called to serve as subjects of the King who was among us as one who serves.2 And we are all called to make disciples.
Paul told the church at Ephesus that God gifted people in differing ways, as apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers.3 So, clearly some will be more adept at teaching the gospel than others, but everyone can, as my friend Milton Jones used to say, “put in a good word for Jesus” wherever they go.
The Commission as Fruit
As the apostle Paul carried out this commission, he referred to the results of his disciple-making work as “fruit.”
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
– Romans 1:13-15, ESV
The term above that was translated “harvest” is καρπὸν (karpon). It is the same word Paul used in Galatians 5;22 to tell us of the “fruit” of the spirit. Karpos/karpon is a yield, a harvest, produce, fruit. It is the term Jesus used (last week’s blog) when he said he was the vine and his Father the vinedresser. The Father/vinedresser is looking for fruit, karpon.
Net Fishing
When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he thanked them for partnering with him in the spreading of the gospel and said that there was “fruit” increasing to their credit because of that partnership.4 To the church at Corinth, Paul said that he planted the seed, Apollos watered it, and God gave the increase, the harvest, the fruit.5
When Jesus called some of his disciples, he said he would make them “fishers of men.”6 Many times I’ve seen, usually men, wearing a hat with a big fish hook on it and the inscription, “Fisher of Men.” It’s cute, and I like the concept, but the reality is that fishing in Jesus’ time was a group activity involving nets rather than hooks.
Fishing with a hook involves bait and, of course, the hook. The fish takes the bait and is hooked into a violent challenge. The fisherman wants to reel that fish in, and the fish desperately wants to get away.
In net fishing, several of us work together to cast weighted nets. As the weights take the net toward the bottom of the lake, we pull the drawstring into the boat causing the net to form a sor of bag—hopefully a bag filled with fish. It is not violent, but rather gentle. The fish doesn’t even know it has been caught until it is all over.
What I want you to see is that, with net fishing, everyone can work in the role they are gifted for while still being engaged in missional living. You can still put in that “good word for Jesus,” making the initial connection, and then invite your friend into a conversation with someone better equipped, or gifted, to answer their more difficult questions.
The beautiful variation in the body of Christ7 is what makes this possible. Some are hands, others feet, or ears, or eyes. Together, we are the body, each of us working within our function or our gifting, and working in this way, we fulfill our responsibilities to the Great Commission.
Blessings upon you, my friends.
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
DamonJGray.org
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1. 1 Corinthians 12:5
2. Luke 22:24-27, John 13:12-15
3. Ephesians 4:11
4. Philippians 4:17
5. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
6. Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17, Luke 5:10
7. 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
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