Many people think of making disciples as the end game of a healthy church. In reality, though, renewal only comes as disciples are made.

John 1:35-51 makes this reality clear.

In all of John 1, Jesus is the source of abundant life and renewal. In verses 35-51, discipleship is connected with experiencing this abundant life through Jesus.

In the passage, you find that through discipleship, Jesus provides abundant life. This isn’t because people are following a particular program or some religious ritual that we call discipleship. Instead, it’s because discipleship is primarily seeing and showing Jesus: the source of abundant life.

Nineteen times in this passage, terms concerning “seeing” or “beholding” are utilized. Jesus’ call to follow Him as a disciple is a call to “Behold Him.”

Just as individuals cannot find life and revitalization apart from beholding Jesus in discipleship, neither can a church. Churches must pursue intentional discipleship now in order to experience the renewal that only comes from beholding Jesus.

May we not wait to see disciples made, but let us make disciples here and now.