As You Go, Make Disciples

When I was a student at Princeton Theological Seminary, I had a part time job at the cigar shop in town, A Little Taste of Cuba. I was not there long before the owner started calling me “Pastor Padron” as that was the brand of cigars I most often enjoyed. The best conversations about God, the Bible, and Jesus I had at that time ironically were not in seminary with my fellow students or with people at the church I attended, but were with the patrons of that shop. In fact, several people came to faith in Christ as a result of those talks!

It is now fifteen years later. I am still known as Pastor Padron by the people in the cigar shop I frequent. It is not uncommon for a person to ask me what I do.

“I’m a pastor.”

“Really? And you smoke cigars?”

“Yup.”

Then it is often followed by things like (these are actual quotes),

• I’m so sorry for swearing in front of you pastor.
• My wife is divorcing me and I don’t know what to do.
• What do you think about evolution?
• Do you think Catholic priests should marry?
• Do you really think the Bible is true?

The discussions that follow may be short or long, shallow or deep, but they are all honest, respectful, and sincere.

I am officiating a wedding this Sunday. The bride to be is the daughter of a friend of mine I met at the cigar shop I have been frequenting for the past few years. Many of the people I have been building relationships with at this shop—customers, employees, and the owner—people with whom I have shared my faith with and have done my best to live that faith out in front of, are going to be there and will hear the gospel clearly presented in that service. I am excited to see what God does in the hearts of those who hear. And the funny thing is, they are looking forward to seeing “Pastor Padron” officially in action!

What is the point of bringing this up? The point is rightly understanding and living out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV),

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.

While “go and make disciples” is an ok translation of the Greek, a better translation would be “as you are going make disciples.” The Great Commission is not a call to leave where you are and make disciples (though certainly some people are particularly called to do that), it is a command to make disciples wherever you go, whether that be across the world, across town, across the street, or just across the room. No place is off limits. Wherever you go means wherever you go. When we limit disciple making to particular times and places, or assign that responsibility to particular people who have been called to be evangelists, missionaries, or pastors, we are evading the call of the Great Commission. Living for God through Christ means living life in such a way that making disciples is just part of how we live day in and day out. This is what Paul was modeling for the Corinthians and for us in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV),

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Let us do likewise.