A DISCIPLE OF
JESUS
In our previous lessons we have
looked at the Biblical teachings on. . .
The Beginning of the Christian Journey
Becoming Equipped for the Christian Journey
The Ultimate Goal of the Christian Journey
The Process of the Christian Journey
If we have embraced these Biblical teachings and committed
ourselves to live by these teachings it has brought us to a point
in time that is best described as . . .
THE JOURNEY OF DISCIPLESHIP
Most
Christians are not exactly sure as to what the word “disciple”
means. So we will start from there. Our New Testament was first
written in the Greek language which was the market language of the
Roman Empire.
“Disciple” has the meaning of “a
learner” (i.e. pupil). It refers to anyone who follows the
teachings of another and puts into practice those teachings. The
following two statements by Jesus provides good examples:
”Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide
in My word, you are My disciples indeed.’” John 8:31.
To His disciples Jesus said,
“By this My Father is
glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My
disciples.” John
15:8. It also helps us to consider that:
There were disciples of John the
Baptist.
“Then the disciples of John came to Him. . .” Matthew
9:14.
The Religious sect called
“Pharisees” proudly claimed to be “Moses’ disciples.” John 9:28.
The twelve apostles of Jesus
were normally referred to as “His disciples”
“And when He (Jesus) had called His twelve disciples. .
.” Matthew 10:1.
In the book of Acts devout
believers in Jesus are commonly referred to as disciples.
(See Acts 6:1, 2, 7; 14:20, 22, 28; 15:10; 19:1)
What is Required to Become a
Disciple of Jesus?
The following statement by Jesus
gives the answer:
“. . .If anyone desires to
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily
and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 (Also Matthew 10:38;
Mark 8:34).
Most of us will agree that this
is the most challenging requirement that we could ever be called
upon to make.
In all likelihood an image also
comes up in our mind as we think about what Jesus said and we are
inclined to think, “That sounds like the most miserable life I
could possibly live.”
And yet, Jesus said on another
occasion,
“The thief does not
come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come
that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly.” John
10:10.
Jesus came in order that we may
have abundant life! How do we reconcile these seemingly
contradictory statements? We must look at them from the viewpoint
of God.
1). We must recognize that all
mankind are born spiritually dead.
“For as in Adam all die. . .”
1st Corinthians 15:22.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the
world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men,
because all sinned.” Romans 5:12. (Also read Romans 3:9-20).
2). When Jesus died on the
cross for our sins He received the punishment for the sins of
mankind. God also accounted that we were in Christ and our
fleshly nature received the punishment for our sins as well.
“…Knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:6.
A
thorough reading of Romans 6 reveals that God has placed on His
records that the fallen fleshly nature of every true believer was
placed into Christ and remained dead in the grave when Jesus rose
again. That will remain in God’s eternal record.
3). We must put these truths
into practice. In Romans 6 and other Scriptures we discover that
to make God’s record come true in our earthly journey we believers
must daily reckon this true by faith.
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead
indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:11.
The purpose of all this is to
liberate our spiritual nature from the bondage of the fallen
fleshly nature so we can freely live our life pleasing to God.
“For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
Romans 6:7.
All of this may sound mystical
and even impossible but our part is to believe God and put our
faith into action.
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off
the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is
renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created
him.” Colossians 3:9, 10.
Core
Habits of a Disciple of Jesus
Take up your cross daily.
A cross is an instrument of
death. This signifies that we are to spiritually crucify our
fallen fleshly nature every day by faith. The question arises as
to why this is necessary every day.
The obvious answer is “because
our fallen fleshly nature has a resurrection every morning.” We
need to hang it on the cross early.
Learn about Jesus
On the positive side we must
learn about Jesus if we are going to be His disciples. From our
relationship with Him, His teachings and actions in the Scriptures
and the illumination of the Holy Spirit we must learn everything
we can about Jesus.
We need to learn that:
Jesus was and is God.
He answered the Jewish leaders
seeking to kill Him,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
With this answer Jesus identified
Himself as Jehovah God Who Moses requested to reveal His name.
“And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. . .”
Exodus 3:13, 14. (See also Revelation 1:4-8).
As God, Jesus is holy, righteous,
just, and good. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal, true
and unchangeable.
Jesus is the Messiah/Christ
The Hebrew word translated into
English as “Messiah” and the Greek word translated “Christ” have
the same meaning which is “anointed one.”
The Scriptural meaning is that
Jesus was chosen by God, authorized by God and empowered by God.
As the Messiah/Christ, Jesus was anointed to be God’s chosen
Prophet, Priest and King.
As God’s chosen Prophet
(See Deuteronomy 18:15-19).
Jesus preached the gospel of the
kingdom during His first coming (See Matthew 4:17). He offered
Himself to Israel and they rejected Him and provoked the Roman
authorities to crucify Him. His offer to establish His kingdom
with Israel was withdrawn and postponed until His second coming
when He returns in power.
As
God’s chosen High Priest
Jesus is affirmed to be appointed
by God, the Father 17 times in the book of Hebrews. Some of His
major works are:
He offered Himself as
a sacrifice for the sins of mankind “once for all.”
Hebrews 7:27; 9:11, 12, 26-28, 10:10-14.
He became the
Mediator of a New Covenant that was better than the old Covenant
of Moses. Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13;
12:24; 13:20.
As the . .One
Mediator between God and man. . .”
(1st Timothy 2:5) He is sympathetic with
our weaknesses so that we can
“come
boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to
help in
time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16.
As God’s Chosen King
Jesus rules over His kingdom in
mystery form during the church age.
This is the principal time He gathers citizens for the kingdom of
God
in power. It includes gentiles as well as Israelites.
Jesus shared with His apostles
“As the Father knows
Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the
sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them
also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be
one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:15-16.
Jesus also gave “The Great Commission” to His disciples,
“Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you.. .”
Matthew 28:18, l9.
The time will come when Jesus
will establish His kingdom in power. Jesus gave John the
following vision:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and
behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful
and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. . .” “And
He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation
19:11, 16.
Those who become disciples of
Jesus are destined to be on the victorious side for all eternity.
Copyright © 2008 Truth Helpers Inc.
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