In the closing verses of the gospel of Matthew, and before Jesus is taken up to the heavens, His last instruction is for the disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Look here. Jesus didn’t instruct His disciples to just spread the good news and convert people into the faith. His instruction was more extensive, saying “Go, make disciples of all.” (Matt 28:19)
For today’s reflection, I want us to consider the difference between being a believer in Jesus, and being a disciple of Jesus. If you’re watching this video, I’m sure you’re a believer. Now, it’s one thing to believe that Jesus is the Risen Lord, the Son of God. But it’s another thing to level up and be His student, His follower, His disciple.
Remember the parable of the sower, where seed was sown on different kinds of soil? A mere believer can have the seed grow but later on snatched away or choked by anxieties or by the world’s attractions. A disciple is where the seed falls on fertile soil, grows, gets pruned, and bears fruit.
You see, my friend, Jesus didn’t suffer and die on the cross just so that you and I can be faithful, church-going believers. Yes, His death and resurrection guarantee eternal life to all those who believe that He is the Lord. But remember his many invitations to “come, follow me”? This is not an invitation to come to worship service or attend Mass for an hour every Sunday. We are all invited to walk with Jesus, daily, personally and deeply, and thereby experience fullness of life. In fact, I would say that this journey of discipleship which Jesus calls us to, is everyone’s pathway of hope.
But wait. You need to know that you don’t become a disciple on your own. You need a discipler, someone who has been discipled himself, and who has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to encourage you and accompany you in your journey of learning more about Jesus, and more importantly, hold you accountable to live a life of obedience to the many commands of Jesus, so that one day, you too will become a channel of grace to disciple others after you.
You know, my friend, if we’re honest, most of us who are believers are either on rocky ground, barely alive in faith, or trying to grow in faith, but choked by the world and other distractions. Discipleship involves a farmer helping us clearing our lives of the rocks and the weeds that choke the vine, and constantly pruning us that we start bearing fruit.
Speaking of pruning. A life of discipleship will involve changing your view of life, what you value, and how you live your life and relate to everyone and everything that happens to you. This pruning is necessary in order that you will bear fruit and become more and more like Jesus Christ, and attain what Jesus calls the fullness of life.
Maybe you are already a disciple, and now Jesus is instructing you today to go and make disciples of those around you. Then, I urge you to pray for an anointing of the Holy Spirit that you may take on this task with great resolve, with power, and with love. Maybe you can also share this video with those people God sends your way.
Or you may be a church-going believer in Christ, and today, you hear Jesus speak to your heart, saying, “Come, follow me.” If so, why not send a message to the person who shared this video with you and ask for directions to the pathway of hope. Again, this is Eddie Mendoza, and may God bless you with the desire to become more and more like Jesus.
17 May 2026
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