"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19)
“For a dream comes with much business and painful effort, and a fool’s voice with many words.” (Ecc 5:3)
Sometimes dreams can be a means of escape. We do not want to deal with our current issues we have dreams of how we would like things to be. One can come up with many ideas and feel good in the fantasy of the moment, but never put anything into making the dreams come about. People who continually do this are often coined ‘dreamers.’
Ecclesiastes 5:7 says, “For in a multitude of dreams there is futility and worthlessness, and ruin in a flood of words.”
Other times, people will have a great dream for their future but it does not come about because the person fails to invest in it or they don’t count the cost. When they come across obstacles they become discouraged and quit. Then they move on to something else.
John Maxwell suggests that it is a person’s inner fire that propels them to achieve their dream. He writes, “Put simply, desire determines destiny. As a rule, leaders attain influence proportionate to the size of the blaze burning within them.” [1]
When people are passionate about something, obstacles to not detour one’s pursuit. When they fail, they learn and get up and try again. Most people who have succeeded at anything significant have failed many, many times before they finally succeeded. They did not become discouraged or quit. Each time they learned from their mistakes, grew and got up to try again.
John Maxwell writes , “Passion makes the impossible possible. People are wired so that when their souls ignite, they no longer shrink before the barriers in front of them. That’s what makes a passionate leader particularly effective. He or she conceives of possibilities and opportunities for progress whereas dispassionate persons only see roadblocks and reasons why a vision can’t be achieved.” [2]
When we have dreams, it is important to consider what it may cost us before pursuing them. If the cost is significant, what will determine our ability to finish is our willingness to stay committed. If we are deeply passionate about what we are pursuing, any cost may seem insignificant in comparison.
Jesus asks in Luke 14: 28-33, “For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculated the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him, saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish.
Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel on whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace. So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce , surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Commentary notes, “Jesus’ call here is to follow Him in the way of rejection and suffering. A disciple will be rejected by those in the world who do not honor Christ. Therefore, a disciple must be ready to face and accept such rejection.” [3]
Just as we need to count the cost on pursing our dreams, we are to count the cost of being a disciple before entering in. Commentary goes on to note, “Christ does not give some emotional appeal to follow Him. He asks for careful consideration of the action the disciple may choose to take and whether he or she will be faithful to the task (9:57, 58).” [4]
A disciple is defined as one who is taught or a student [5]. A student is in a mode of continuous learning. They don’t think they have all the answers but are continually seeking to understand and put into practice the principles, concepts, and ideals that they gain from others.
One resource goes on to notes that the word disciple is sometimes used more specifically to indicate the twelve apostles of Jesus. They were a small inner group of believers [6] who were called to carry out the ministry of Jesus. While many can be disciples (Matthew 28:19), there were only a select few who were called to be apostles and carry His ministry out into the world (Acts 1:21-26).
Whatever we are called to, discipleship requires a response by us of deep commitment. Jesus says in Matthew 22:14, “For many are invited, but few are chosen." It is more than going along with the crowd and seeing Jesus perform miracles or provide for our needs. Being a disciple means putting following Him first in our lives.
When Jesus told the people who were following Him that they needed to believe and trust and have faith, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many disciples became offended. They drew back and stopped following Him (Matthew 6:53-66). He asked the Twelve disciples, “Will you also go away?” (Matthew 6:67)
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God” (Matthew 6:68-69).
Discipleship is a commitment that does not turn away no matter what happens. One has counted the cost and their whole heart is in the offering. Discipleship gives all to Jesus.
Commentary notes, “The essence of discipleship is to place all things in God’s hands. Jesus wants the crowds to understand this. Following Jesus is not a trivial matter. It is not how little you can give to God, but how much God deserves.” [7]
Discipleship requires full devotion and commitment. As commentary goes on to note, one cannot be a disciple if they are not fully devoted to God. [8] If there is something that one is holding back or saying in their heart, that cost would be too much - something that they are unwilling to put in the offering, they cannot be a disciple.
“You are everything that I live for…. You are everything I breathe for” sings in the background
Following Jesus is a life of death. One must deny their desires and wishes and follow after Jesus forsaking all else. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also.]
“Here I am, all I have, take it all” sings in the background.
Jesus came not to do His own will and purpose but that of the kingdom of His fathers (John 6:38). In the same way, the disciples were called to let go of their own purposes and interests for kingdom purposes.
“And ever since I died to myself, You gave a better life to me” sings.
Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:31, “I die daily.” Paul no longer held on to his own interests. He gave them up and let the passion for Jesus’ kingdom fill him. He no longer did anything with his own purposes in mind. He gloried even in incredible difficulties and suffering to himself because he could see that through it Jesus was bringing His kingdom.
He told the church in Romans 14:7, “None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”
The twelve diciples aslo gloried in their suffering when it brought the kingdom forward. They had left all to follow Jesus when they heard Him call. They looked to the things that are eternal and set their eyes heavenward rather than on the things of the world that “moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Mttw. 6:30).
As disciples, we cannot hold onto anything or put anything before Jesus. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.”
The disciples told Jesus in Matthew 19:27, “Behold, we have left [our] all and have become Your disciples [sided with Your party and followed You]. What then shall we receive?”
Jesus responded in Matthew 19:28, “Truly I say to you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world), when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have [become My disciples, sided with My party and] followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Eventually, where following and leaving all led the disciples was not to rule and reign in this world like a king but to the foot of the cross. As noted in the sermon at my church last weekend, the day that Jesus was on the cross had to be the darkest day for the disciples. Their leader, rather than taking over, had died. But what they found was that His kingdom was much different than their thoughts and their desires.
Rather than being raised up on a throne, Jesus was raised up on a cross. Jesus told his disciples before his death, “You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Matthew 26:31)
But their commitment to Jesus did not rest in their own hands. As long as they were willing to say yes in their hearts to Jesus, He turned their failures into learning and growing experiences along the way. He told them, “But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee”
Jesus sustains our commitment to Him. John 18:9 says, “This what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.”
In John 6:39 Jesus had said, “And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.”
As the lives of the disciples had to have seemed to be turned completely upside down by His death, Jesus held onto them with a grip that would not let them go. In John 17:12 Jesus told His Father, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
While Jesus allows us to go through difficulties and struggles so that we can grow and become more like Him, He will also see us through them. We can trust that Jesus will deliver us in all our difficulties and struggles, bringing Himself glory.
Psalm 91:14-16 says, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understand My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness –trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
Jesus never let any of the disciples out of His hand. When Peter was sifted by Satan, Jesus had interceded for him. Jesus told Peter in Luke 32:21-22, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
“Where would I be without someone to save me, someone who won’t let me fall?” sings in the background.
And whenever the disciples strayed back towards the world or their old ways, Jesus came to get them. Jesus was faithful not to leave them in their wonderings, but bring them back into alignment with His will. Jesus knew exactly what was needed in every circumstance.
After Jesus was crucified, the disciples shut themselves in behind closed doors for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Jesus came to them and called them to have peace. He showed them his hands and side. He told them, “[Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.” Having said this, “He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:21-22)
“Sing a song of hope, sing along, God of heaven come down, heaven come down” sings.
When the disciples went back to fishing, Jesus again revealed Himself to them at the Sea of Tiberias. They were fishing and not catching a thing all night. Jesus yelled out to them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were not able to haul it in because the catch was so big (John 21:6).
They realized it was Jesus and John cried out, It is the Lord! When Peter heard this he jumped into the sea and swam back to shore to see Him. Then as they all came back to shore, Jesus had breakfast with them.
Jesus was not just having a causual breakfast, He was calling them back to follow Him. He knew just what they needed at the time to be encourged. Jesus turned to Peter and asked Him, Peter, do you love Me? When Peter responded that of course he did, Jesus told him to feed His sheep. (John 21:7-17)
Jesus called Peter once again to follow Him, laying down his life and his own agenda for kingdom purposes. He went on to tell Peter in John 21:18, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.”
John 21:19 goes on to say that Jesus said this “to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!”
Coming back to what I wrote earlier, disciples are called to fully lay down their own agenda and live solely for kingdom purposes. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
And Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
As disciples we are His servants and do not have rights of our own. Paul says in Philippians 1:5-8, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!”
And as disciples, God grants us “[the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.” (Phil. 1:29) Peter tells the church in 1 Peter 2:21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
We can expect to have trials and tribulations in this world (John 16:33). And as disciples of Jesus, we will be persecuted. Jesus says in John 15:20, “Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
Jesus never shrunk back form kingdom purposes because of persecution. And as His disciples we are called to the same. We are not to avoid suffering and persecution, looking how to escape, but look to Jesus on how to be faithful in the midst of it.
In Revelation 2:13, Jesus told the church of Pergamum, “I know where you live –a place where Satan sits enthroned. [Yet] you are clinging to and holding fast My name, and you did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) in your midst –where Satan dwells.”
We are to entrust ourselves to our Savior. In John 16:33, he says about tribulations we will experience in the world, “ But take heart! I have overcome the world." As we look to Him, we too will overcome by His power. It is not by our strength but by His. He is faithful to take us through.
Revelation 12:11 says about those who were accused by Satan day and night, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Disciples are also called to love in all circumstances. Jesus says in John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
And John says in 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death."
“Give me your love for humanity” sings in the background.
Love is more than just words, love gives itself away for others benefit. James 2:16 says, "If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" Love is willing to take action and move towards others, helping them in their time of need.
And love generously forgives and hopes the best of people, alwasy seeking reconciliation. We cannot chose to be a disciple and at the same time refuse to forgive, love and reconcile with our brothers. A disciple cannot claim the right to hold onto unforgiveness because of a harm done by another. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
We are not only to love those who love us but those who are our enemies and who hate us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:43-46, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Lord, forgive me where I have said I wanted to follow you with my lips but I did not want to pay the cost. On occasion I have refused to lay down my own rights, refused to forgive someone who caused me harm and failed to pray for those who have persecuted me. I have thought you were treating me unfairly and sometimes even complained when You were calling me to follow You. And I have failed to love others well. The more I try to follow You, the more I realize that I cannot do it in my own strength.
Thank You for your faithfulness! You do not demand performance from us but come and get us and help us to follow You. Your love is amazing! As the song sings, “Where would I be without someone to save me, someone who won’t let me fall?” We long to be your disciples and truly follow You and give You all. Would you empower us by Your Spirit to follow You.
1-2. Maxwell, John. Leadership Wired Article January 2012. Passion: The Fuel of Persistance. Located at: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/products-resources/leadership-on-demand/articles/passion-the-fuel-of-persistence/ Last Accessed: 1/8/2012.
3-4, 7-8. Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1999, S.
5-6. Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995
Sometimes dreams can be a means of escape. We do not want to deal with our current issues we have dreams of how we would like things to be. One can come up with many ideas and feel good in the fantasy of the moment, but never put anything into making the dreams come about. People who continually do this are often coined ‘dreamers.’
Ecclesiastes 5:7 says, “For in a multitude of dreams there is futility and worthlessness, and ruin in a flood of words.”
Other times, people will have a great dream for their future but it does not come about because the person fails to invest in it or they don’t count the cost. When they come across obstacles they become discouraged and quit. Then they move on to something else.
John Maxwell suggests that it is a person’s inner fire that propels them to achieve their dream. He writes, “Put simply, desire determines destiny. As a rule, leaders attain influence proportionate to the size of the blaze burning within them.” [1]
When people are passionate about something, obstacles to not detour one’s pursuit. When they fail, they learn and get up and try again. Most people who have succeeded at anything significant have failed many, many times before they finally succeeded. They did not become discouraged or quit. Each time they learned from their mistakes, grew and got up to try again.
John Maxwell writes , “Passion makes the impossible possible. People are wired so that when their souls ignite, they no longer shrink before the barriers in front of them. That’s what makes a passionate leader particularly effective. He or she conceives of possibilities and opportunities for progress whereas dispassionate persons only see roadblocks and reasons why a vision can’t be achieved.” [2]
When we have dreams, it is important to consider what it may cost us before pursuing them. If the cost is significant, what will determine our ability to finish is our willingness to stay committed. If we are deeply passionate about what we are pursuing, any cost may seem insignificant in comparison.
Jesus asks in Luke 14: 28-33, “For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculated the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him, saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish.
Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel on whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace. So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce , surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Commentary notes, “Jesus’ call here is to follow Him in the way of rejection and suffering. A disciple will be rejected by those in the world who do not honor Christ. Therefore, a disciple must be ready to face and accept such rejection.” [3]
Just as we need to count the cost on pursing our dreams, we are to count the cost of being a disciple before entering in. Commentary goes on to note, “Christ does not give some emotional appeal to follow Him. He asks for careful consideration of the action the disciple may choose to take and whether he or she will be faithful to the task (9:57, 58).” [4]
A disciple is defined as one who is taught or a student [5]. A student is in a mode of continuous learning. They don’t think they have all the answers but are continually seeking to understand and put into practice the principles, concepts, and ideals that they gain from others.
One resource goes on to notes that the word disciple is sometimes used more specifically to indicate the twelve apostles of Jesus. They were a small inner group of believers [6] who were called to carry out the ministry of Jesus. While many can be disciples (Matthew 28:19), there were only a select few who were called to be apostles and carry His ministry out into the world (Acts 1:21-26).
Whatever we are called to, discipleship requires a response by us of deep commitment. Jesus says in Matthew 22:14, “For many are invited, but few are chosen." It is more than going along with the crowd and seeing Jesus perform miracles or provide for our needs. Being a disciple means putting following Him first in our lives.
When Jesus told the people who were following Him that they needed to believe and trust and have faith, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many disciples became offended. They drew back and stopped following Him (Matthew 6:53-66). He asked the Twelve disciples, “Will you also go away?” (Matthew 6:67)
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God” (Matthew 6:68-69).
Discipleship is a commitment that does not turn away no matter what happens. One has counted the cost and their whole heart is in the offering. Discipleship gives all to Jesus.
Commentary notes, “The essence of discipleship is to place all things in God’s hands. Jesus wants the crowds to understand this. Following Jesus is not a trivial matter. It is not how little you can give to God, but how much God deserves.” [7]
Discipleship requires full devotion and commitment. As commentary goes on to note, one cannot be a disciple if they are not fully devoted to God. [8] If there is something that one is holding back or saying in their heart, that cost would be too much - something that they are unwilling to put in the offering, they cannot be a disciple.
“You are everything that I live for…. You are everything I breathe for” sings in the background
Following Jesus is a life of death. One must deny their desires and wishes and follow after Jesus forsaking all else. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also.]
“Here I am, all I have, take it all” sings in the background.
Jesus came not to do His own will and purpose but that of the kingdom of His fathers (John 6:38). In the same way, the disciples were called to let go of their own purposes and interests for kingdom purposes.
“And ever since I died to myself, You gave a better life to me” sings.
Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:31, “I die daily.” Paul no longer held on to his own interests. He gave them up and let the passion for Jesus’ kingdom fill him. He no longer did anything with his own purposes in mind. He gloried even in incredible difficulties and suffering to himself because he could see that through it Jesus was bringing His kingdom.
He told the church in Romans 14:7, “None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”
The twelve diciples aslo gloried in their suffering when it brought the kingdom forward. They had left all to follow Jesus when they heard Him call. They looked to the things that are eternal and set their eyes heavenward rather than on the things of the world that “moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Mttw. 6:30).
As disciples, we cannot hold onto anything or put anything before Jesus. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.”
The disciples told Jesus in Matthew 19:27, “Behold, we have left [our] all and have become Your disciples [sided with Your party and followed You]. What then shall we receive?”
Jesus responded in Matthew 19:28, “Truly I say to you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world), when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have [become My disciples, sided with My party and] followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Eventually, where following and leaving all led the disciples was not to rule and reign in this world like a king but to the foot of the cross. As noted in the sermon at my church last weekend, the day that Jesus was on the cross had to be the darkest day for the disciples. Their leader, rather than taking over, had died. But what they found was that His kingdom was much different than their thoughts and their desires.
Rather than being raised up on a throne, Jesus was raised up on a cross. Jesus told his disciples before his death, “You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Matthew 26:31)
But their commitment to Jesus did not rest in their own hands. As long as they were willing to say yes in their hearts to Jesus, He turned their failures into learning and growing experiences along the way. He told them, “But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee”
Jesus sustains our commitment to Him. John 18:9 says, “This what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.”
In John 6:39 Jesus had said, “And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.”
As the lives of the disciples had to have seemed to be turned completely upside down by His death, Jesus held onto them with a grip that would not let them go. In John 17:12 Jesus told His Father, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
While Jesus allows us to go through difficulties and struggles so that we can grow and become more like Him, He will also see us through them. We can trust that Jesus will deliver us in all our difficulties and struggles, bringing Himself glory.
Psalm 91:14-16 says, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understand My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness –trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
Jesus never let any of the disciples out of His hand. When Peter was sifted by Satan, Jesus had interceded for him. Jesus told Peter in Luke 32:21-22, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
“Where would I be without someone to save me, someone who won’t let me fall?” sings in the background.
And whenever the disciples strayed back towards the world or their old ways, Jesus came to get them. Jesus was faithful not to leave them in their wonderings, but bring them back into alignment with His will. Jesus knew exactly what was needed in every circumstance.
After Jesus was crucified, the disciples shut themselves in behind closed doors for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Jesus came to them and called them to have peace. He showed them his hands and side. He told them, “[Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.” Having said this, “He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:21-22)
“Sing a song of hope, sing along, God of heaven come down, heaven come down” sings.
When the disciples went back to fishing, Jesus again revealed Himself to them at the Sea of Tiberias. They were fishing and not catching a thing all night. Jesus yelled out to them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were not able to haul it in because the catch was so big (John 21:6).
They realized it was Jesus and John cried out, It is the Lord! When Peter heard this he jumped into the sea and swam back to shore to see Him. Then as they all came back to shore, Jesus had breakfast with them.
Jesus was not just having a causual breakfast, He was calling them back to follow Him. He knew just what they needed at the time to be encourged. Jesus turned to Peter and asked Him, Peter, do you love Me? When Peter responded that of course he did, Jesus told him to feed His sheep. (John 21:7-17)
Jesus called Peter once again to follow Him, laying down his life and his own agenda for kingdom purposes. He went on to tell Peter in John 21:18, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.”
John 21:19 goes on to say that Jesus said this “to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!”
Coming back to what I wrote earlier, disciples are called to fully lay down their own agenda and live solely for kingdom purposes. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
And Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
As disciples we are His servants and do not have rights of our own. Paul says in Philippians 1:5-8, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!”
And as disciples, God grants us “[the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.” (Phil. 1:29) Peter tells the church in 1 Peter 2:21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
We can expect to have trials and tribulations in this world (John 16:33). And as disciples of Jesus, we will be persecuted. Jesus says in John 15:20, “Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
Jesus never shrunk back form kingdom purposes because of persecution. And as His disciples we are called to the same. We are not to avoid suffering and persecution, looking how to escape, but look to Jesus on how to be faithful in the midst of it.
In Revelation 2:13, Jesus told the church of Pergamum, “I know where you live –a place where Satan sits enthroned. [Yet] you are clinging to and holding fast My name, and you did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) in your midst –where Satan dwells.”
We are to entrust ourselves to our Savior. In John 16:33, he says about tribulations we will experience in the world, “ But take heart! I have overcome the world." As we look to Him, we too will overcome by His power. It is not by our strength but by His. He is faithful to take us through.
Revelation 12:11 says about those who were accused by Satan day and night, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Disciples are also called to love in all circumstances. Jesus says in John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
And John says in 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death."
“Give me your love for humanity” sings in the background.
Love is more than just words, love gives itself away for others benefit. James 2:16 says, "If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" Love is willing to take action and move towards others, helping them in their time of need.
And love generously forgives and hopes the best of people, alwasy seeking reconciliation. We cannot chose to be a disciple and at the same time refuse to forgive, love and reconcile with our brothers. A disciple cannot claim the right to hold onto unforgiveness because of a harm done by another. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
We are not only to love those who love us but those who are our enemies and who hate us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:43-46, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Lord, forgive me where I have said I wanted to follow you with my lips but I did not want to pay the cost. On occasion I have refused to lay down my own rights, refused to forgive someone who caused me harm and failed to pray for those who have persecuted me. I have thought you were treating me unfairly and sometimes even complained when You were calling me to follow You. And I have failed to love others well. The more I try to follow You, the more I realize that I cannot do it in my own strength.
Thank You for your faithfulness! You do not demand performance from us but come and get us and help us to follow You. Your love is amazing! As the song sings, “Where would I be without someone to save me, someone who won’t let me fall?” We long to be your disciples and truly follow You and give You all. Would you empower us by Your Spirit to follow You.
1-2. Maxwell, John. Leadership Wired Article January 2012. Passion: The Fuel of Persistance. Located at: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/products-resources/leadership-on-demand/articles/passion-the-fuel-of-persistence/ Last Accessed: 1/8/2012.
3-4, 7-8. Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1999, S.
5-6. Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995
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