We are obsessed with the "Go." We talk about the Great Commission, we study the “doing” words of the Bible, and we fill our calendars with church activities until we’re running on empty. But here is the uncomfortable truth: You cannot make disciples of Jesus if you aren’t currently being one. We often try to give the world a Jesus we haven’t actually spent time with lately. If we want to change the world, we have to start by doing the one thing we find most difficult: sitting still.
The Mandate to "Be"
Let’s examine Jesus' Great Commission:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 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, baptising 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.” Matthew 28:16-20
The Greek word used in verse 19 for "make a disciple" is mathēteuō. It is a verb, a "doing" word, which carries a dual meaning: to make a disciple and to be a disciple. I believe Jesus is telling us that we cannot effectively do the former without constantly practising the latter.
As explained in my previous blog, in Jesus’ time, a disciple would give up everything, family, career, and comfort, to learn from their Rabbi. They didn't just learn through lectures; they learned firsthand how their Rabbi lived. Even though Jesus is no longer physically on earth, we learn from Him by dwelling in the Gospels, reading the whole of Scripture, and spending time with Him in the secret place.
We must ensure that what we know about Jesus isn’t just head knowledge, reciting facts, but heart knowledge, where we know Him intimately and understand how He thinks and acts.
The Challenge of Modern Distraction
Admittedly, this is hard. It’s difficult to spend time with someone who isn't physically in the room. Furthermore, we are bombarded by outside influences that affect our relationship with Him. Some of these influences appear good or religious, but in reality, they prevent us from truly knowing Jesus as He is.
We all view the world through a particular lens, shaped by our social background, education, and church traditions. These lenses can colour the way we see Jesus and how we read the Bible. This is why we need to sit at His feet and listen to Him directly.
The Martha Trap: Why Good Things Can Be Bad Distractions
We often treat busyness as a badge of honour. We feel the need to be constantly moving, producing, and even serving the church. None of this is inherently bad, but the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 holds up a mirror to our frantic lives.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations... Luke 10:38-40
Notice that the Bible doesn't say Martha was wrong for cooking. She was being hospitable. She was doing something good for Jesus, but she was doing it without being with Jesus. Martha was preparing the table; Mary was preparing her heart.
When Martha frustratedly asked Jesus to tell her sister to help, His response was a gentle wake-up call for every overworked person today:
"Martha, Martha... you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
The One Thing
Jesus didn’t need a fancy three-course meal to feel welcome. He wanted the one thing Martha was too busy to give: her attention. Sometimes we become so obsessed with preparing to be in the presence of God, reading the right books or perfecting our routine, that we forget to actually sit down and listen.
Like King David, who had access to everything a king could want, we must narrow our focus to a single point:
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
David and Mary knew a secret we often forget: The "doing" for God has power only when it flows from "being" with God.
Breaking the Filter: Why Second-Hand Faith Isn't Enough
The most profound moments I’ve ever had with God didn't happen while listening to a polished sermon or scrolling through a curated feed. They happened when it was just me, my Bible, and a notebook, meditating on a single passage with nothing but the Holy Spirit to guide me.
In our quest to be better Christians, there is a hidden danger: we can accidentally become disciples of our favourite pastor, author, or podcaster instead of disciples of Jesus. Commentaries and books are great tools, but they are still someone else's meal.
Nothing beats tasting the Word of God for yourself. When you sit at His feet without the filter of another person’s opinion, the Holy Spirit begins to strip away the lenses of your culture and insecurities. He replaces them with the truth of who He is, and who you are in Him.
How to Start Today
Being a disciple isn't about achieving perfection; it’s about maintaining presence. If you want to fulfil the Great Commission, if you want to make disciples who actually look like Jesus, you have to know what He looks like first. And you only learn that by sitting still.
The one thing, Jesus, is waiting for you. Will you choose what is better today?
Journal Prompts
Spend time reflecting on a couple of these questions.
The One Thing Audit: If you were to describe your relationship with God right now, would it look more like Martha’s kitchen (busy, stressed, serving) or Mary’s seat (quiet, listening, receiving)? What is currently preventing you from "choosing what is better"
The Secret Place Appointment: Discipleship is a doing word. This week, schedule 20 minutes of time alone with God. No podcasts, no study bibles, no music, just you, a plain text Bible, and the Holy Spirit. Write down one thing the Spirit highlights to you.
The Martha Check: Looking at your calendar this week, are you more focused on preparing the table or preparing your heart? What is one good distraction you can set aside to make room for Jesus?
The Filter: We all have "lenses" (culture, background, past experiences) that affect how we see God. What is one truth about Jesus you’ve discovered recently that challenged your old way of thinking?
The Secret Place: What does "sitting at His feet" look like for you in this season? Is it five minutes of silence, journaling through a Psalm, or a long walk?
Your Turn: Have you ever felt the danger of becoming a disciple of a person or a pastor rather than Jesus Himself? How did you find your way back to the Word?