I had to smile at this thought as I read Avery’s story: “Disciple-making is dirty business.” Sorry for the pun but really, it is. Part of the problem with our western approach to gospel ministry is that it’s so clean and programmed. We like to communicate truth on our terms in environments where we feel comfortable. We tend to compartmentalize activities so that disciple-making stays in the church building and gardening stays in the garden.

It was rarely that way with Jesus. Jesus made disciples in boats. Jesus made disciples at a graveside. Jesus made disciples in the midst of an argument about greatness. Jesus made disciples using the stuff of life. Stuff like garden dirt. He listened to people. Imagine that! The Creator listening to the created! He asked them questions. He adapted His schedule to theirs. In a sense, He planted gardens their way when in reality He had planted the very earth they were standing on in the midst of the universe.

Living life with people, listening to them, and learning from them when you have so much you long to teach them is all part of what it means to make disciples. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. He shared in our dirt. Can we do less?