Daily Devotional 10-1-26
The First Step of Discipleship
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Devotional: Jesus gave his followers a clear commission. Go, make disciples, baptize them, and then teach them. The order matters. Jesus did not say wait until people are mature enough, cleaned up enough, or certain enough. The first step in making a disciple is baptism. New life comes first, and then a lifetime of growth follows. Many people have believed they needed to reach some level of spiritual readiness before taking that step. But Jesus designed it the other way around. You do not graduate into baptism. You begin there. The rest of your life is the journey of growing into the person God is making you into.
Personal Reflection: Have you been waiting to feel worthy or ready before taking a step of faith? What would it look like to trust that God meets you at the beginning, not after you have figured everything out?
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Devotional: Jesus gave his followers a clear commission. Go, make disciples, baptize them, and then teach them. The order matters. Jesus did not say wait until people are mature enough, cleaned up enough, or certain enough. The first step in making a disciple is baptism. New life comes first, and then a lifetime of growth follows. Many people have believed they needed to reach some level of spiritual readiness before taking that step. But Jesus designed it the other way around. You do not graduate into baptism. You begin there. The rest of your life is the journey of growing into the person God is making you into.
Personal Reflection: Have you been waiting to feel worthy or ready before taking a step of faith? What would it look like to trust that God meets you at the beginning, not after you have figured everything out?
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