After his resurrection, Jesus gave his followers the great commission: to make disciples of all people (see Matthew 28:18-20).

But just before he did that, we’re told something very telling: “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). Some worshiped Jesus—but some doubted! But he tells the group to make disciples anyway.

In other words, this world-changing mandate wasn’t just given to those who had it all figured out. He also gave it to those who were still struggling with what they had seen and experienced.

What does this mean for us today? It means that perfection is not a necessary qualification for being a disciple or making disciples. When it comes to serving God, you need to know who the Truth is not what all the answers are. Or, put another way, it’s about knowing Someone not knowing everything.

Just like those first disciples.

You aren’t required to be able to quote from every book in the Bible, or have a snappy answer to why bad things sometimes happen to good people, or have a perfect track record of loving your neighbour. You need to know Jesus.

Do you use your own imperfection as an excuse? You shouldn’t. None of us have it all figured out, including me. Being a disciple, and making other disciples, isn’t about how awesome you are, but how awesome he is.

Perfection is not a necessary qualification.

By Matthew Ruttan

–This Sunday at Westminster (10:01am): “Where is God in a pandemic?”
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.