How to Become a Disciple

As Jesus was going down the road, He saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. “Come, be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him. Matthew 9:9

When Jesus calls you, it will not come at a convenient time. Jesus will show up in the middle of your life and call you to walk away, in a moment, from everything. It is really that simple.

Matthew was sitting at his collection booth. He wasn’t just hanging out there; that was his job. His job was to collect taxes! Jesus showed up in the middle of his workday and said, “Come, be my disciple.” He didn’t even wait until Matthew clocked out that day! Jesus knew when Matthew’s workday ended. He could have waited until Matthew clocked out. He didn’t.

I know you are in the middle of something. Maybe you are in the middle of what you think is the greatest opportunity you’ve been given. Matthew was in the middle of his workday. You may be in the middle of your life. You’ve heard the whisper, you’ve been trying to strategize a way to become a disciple, but discipleship doesn’t begin with a strategy. It begins with a response.

Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Matthew got up and followed Him.

The end of the book of Matthew 28:19 says: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Your entry point to becoming a disciple is the same as Matthew’s: you have to be willing to follow Jesus when He calls. That will look different for everyone, but I can promise you there is no other way to become a disciple.

Going and making disciples is more than getting as many people saved as possible. Jesus didn’t tell us only to make converts. He told us to make disciples – to teach people how to follow Him and obey what He commanded.

There is a grace over those who hear the whisper, “Come, follow me.” If you are hearing that whisper, I want to give you permission to leave your tax booth and follow Jesus!