Consider the following interesting translations of the The Great Commission:
- Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... (MSG - The Message)
- Therefore, as you go, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit... (ISV - Internation Standard Version)
- So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit... (GW - God's Word)
No wonder the Great Commission is often called the Great Omission (or the Great Confusion). Two well-known ladies are usually directly involved in this error: Mis-Interpretation and Mis-Understanding. Even Mis-Translated.
Many (I included) grew (grow) up thinking (and therefore, behaving) that we must gain special skills (and/or even to give up our formal training and lifestyle) to fulfill the Great Commission. (No doubt we may have to make special effort and even certain sacrifices but God has placed where we are and equipped us with all that we will ever need for His service.) This traditional thinking paralyses us because it makes us feel second-class as "part-time" workers (compared to "full-time" workers and pastors who eat, sleep, breathe, "play" the Great Commission).
The above "new" (newer) translations help dispel the myth. They explain that the Great Commission actually means "in the course of whatever you are doing", make disciples.
- If you are a doctor, then "in the course of practicing medicine", make disciples.
- If you are an civil engineer, then "in the course of raising buildings", make disciples.
- If you are a businessman, then "in the course of your many business transactions", make disciples.
- If you are a teacher, then "in the course of imparting knowledge", make disciples.
- If you are a ..., then "in the course of ...", make disciples. (Fill in the blanks with you profession and expertise!)
In your area of expertise, no one else can make disciples better than you. No one will probably meet the kind of people you meet more than you. The sick won't go to a businessman for help. Neither will the poor approach an civil engineer.
So, as a doctor, when the sick comes to you, you must, first and foremost, help them get better biologically (physically). That's what you do best. In the course of meeting their biological (physical) needs, help them emotionally, spiritually (ethically), intellectually, and socially. Likewise when drawing building plans or even constructing them, help build the lives of your construction workers, the building owner, etc. Increase (and/or maintain) not only your earthly wealth as a businessman but also your partners' and clients' heavenly (spiritual) wealth. Teach not only textbook knowledge but also God's revealed truth in Scripture.
You get the idea?
When the Apostle Paul was mending and making tents (he was a tent-maker, right?), he made disciples. When he was in chains in prison, he made disciples. When he was shipwrecked, he made disciples. Wherever Jesus went, and whatever He did along the way, he made disciples. People identified His disciples as those who had been with Him. For us, this could mean that people will identify us by:
- Our patients and/or the way we approach health?
- Our buildings and/or the way we build?
- Our business clients and/or the way we conduct our business?
- Our students and/or our quality (and quantity?) of teaching?
(Credit must be given to Mr Lian Mung Yee who was the first to open my mind to this new perspective when he shared God's Word in my home church on 20 October 2005.)
