"make disciples" (mt 28:19) (part 1) (see june 13)
"Answer me, Lord! Answer me, that this people may know that You, Lord, are God and that You have brought them back to their senses." —1 Kings 18:37
The Lord gave Elijah the job of bringing down the idolatrous kingdom of the wicked Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah prophesied that it would not rain for three years (1 Kgs 17:1), and no rain fell. This crippled the economy, but Ahab and Jezebel survived. Then Elijah called down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel and slit the throats of 450 prophets of the false god, Baal (1 Kgs 18:40). Nevertheless, Ahab, and especially Jezebel, remained set in their wicked ways and swore to kill Elijah within twenty-four hours (1 Kgs 19:2). At this, the mighty Elijah became very depressed and prayed that he would die (1 Kgs 19:4). The Lord sent an angel to restore Elijah (1 Kgs 19:5). Then, Elijah heard God whisper to him (1 Kgs 19:12-13). God told Elijah to make Elisha his disciple (1 Kgs 19:16ff). Finally, God worked through this disciple to destroy the kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel.
Prophecies, a three-year drought, fire from heaven, and the extermination of hundreds of false prophets were not enough to destroy evil and accomplish God's plan. Making a disciple is what changes the world. Be Jesus' disciple and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
Prayer: Father, make me like Jesus, my Master.
Promise: "Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true." —Mt 5:18
Praise: Sister Theresa gave a copy of One Bread, One Body to a hospitalized man. He read the praise at the bottom of one of the pages. Jesus touched his heart, and he responded by joining the Catholic Church.
Reference: (Presentation Ministries offers a Discipleship Program. For more information, call our Ministry Center at 513-662-5378.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 2, 1997