Standing For or Against Jesus

"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, '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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:16-20)

Three groups of persons are reflected in Matthew's Gospel as having opportunity to stand for or against Jesus. Jesus disciples, the crowds, and the Jewish leaders. We know that the disciples, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, stood with Jesus, especially post His resurrection. We also know that the Jewish leaders stood against Him, and ultimately turn a once admiring crowd into a people asking for the death of Jesus. Wow! How soon people can change.

Faith seldom views movies. Love, however, led her into the theatre when asked to view Hancock. Hancock, a superhero, while helping the crowd was ripping the City of Angeles apart. The crowd disliked him. An image maker took interest in changing the image of his hero. He convinced Hancock to serve a term in prison for the havoc he had placed on the city, until the people called for him. Surely, when they needed him most he came through outfitted to save good people and punish the bad guys. His image was given new birth, when he rescued the city from criminals. Wow! How soon people can change.

Some people never change soon enough. In fact, some may never change. In a manual on discipleship, "Matthew exalts Jesus as the supreme Lord and teacher of the historical disciples and the post resurrection community." (M.J. Wilkins) If the Gospel of Matthew can be the manual, then Jesus must be the model for discipleship. Jesus called, trained, and commissioned the disciples to carry out the great mandate to "make disciples." If Faith could be influenced to view a movie, most people may respond to the authority given believers to bring individuals to seeing Jesus. Wow! People can quickly change.

Members of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, NY are being asked to usher 200 new members into the congregation this year. The Metropolitan District of the New York Annual Conference has been issued a call to bring in 3000 new Christians into the United Methodist Church. The plan of evangelism is real simple and plain - give people Jesus. Jesus' calls us to a life of obedience, accountability in discipleship groups, costly allegiance to the ministry, and fellowship with diversity of people. We are to follow Jesus faithfully attached, continuing to count the cost, becoming like Jesus preaching the same message, teaching the same ministry, and showing the same compassion. So that commissioned by Jesus, we make disciples throughout the communities, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are to teach people to be obedient, because know Jesus is with us always and forever.

Now is the time to hear the Savior calling and invite five people weekly to come follow Jesus, and be baptized in the Name. We will teach you, and faith will save you. Yes, we are people, and we can quickly change. Have you brought five people to Christ this year? Change now and bring in five times five: twenty-five church members. Wow! People can change, will you?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, change us, so that we may be agents of change for you. Amen.
LAR1