Jesus poses a pivotal question to His disciples
The fourth and final step in Jesus’ disciple-making strategy was multiplication. At a pivotal point in His ministry, Jesus asked the leaders He had invested in a question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16.13 NLT).
Popular opinions about Jesus’ identity went in different directions. “‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets’” (Matthew 16.14 NLT).
Jesus makes the question personal
Not satisfied with those answers, Jesus asked the question again, making it more personal this time: “But who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16.15 NLT).
This is the question that every person on planet earth has to grapple with and, eventually, answer.
Peter’s confession marks a turning point
Peter spoke for the group, saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16.16 NLT).
From this point forward, Jesus talked plainly with His disciples about what His future held. He told them He would go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the religious leaders there, and be killed. That, however, wouldn’t be the end of the story. After three days, He would be raised from the dead (Matthew 16.21 NLT).
Jesus prepares His disciples for the cost of the mission
Jesus knew that it would take self-denial and sacrifice to advance the Kingdom of God, so He challenged His disciples to willingly face whatever consequences came their way.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9.23-24 ESV).
Some walk away from the cost of following
As Jesus went to Jerusalem, some would-be disciples expressed their desire to follow Him. Each time, however, Jesus made it clear that joining His mission is costly; it requires self-denial and sacrifice.
Readers are left with the impression that none of the men became disciples of Jesus. Apparently, Jesus’ demands were too much for them (Luke 9.57-61 ESV).
Jesus commissions more workers for the harvest
As He neared Jerusalem, Jesus appointed seventy-two more disciples to go out in pairs and preach in the towns through which He would be traveling.
The original twelve men had multiplied. When the groups returned to report what happened, Jesus was filled with joy (Luke 10.21 ESV). The movement was starting to take root, bear fruit, and multiply. It started with Jesus, spread to the twelve, expanded to the seventy-two, and went out to the masses.
Jesus defines fruitfulness as proof of discipleship
In John 15.8 ESV, Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Jesus knew that the day was coming when His mission would be left to His followers. His first invitation was “come and see.” His second invitation was “follow Me.” His third invitation was “come and be with Me.” His final invitation was “come after Me and bear fruit.”
He had trained them to bear fruit and multiply the movement.
The call to multiply remains the same today
Multiplication is still what Jesus wants from those who follow Him. He wants you to bear fruit and multiply your influence by inviting people to know Jesus and by investing in people to grow in Jesus.
This is the great adventure to which you’ve been called.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our student series books, Invest In A Few.
