Luke 9
Within many men is the desire to be a protector and provider. You can see this in their thoughts and decisions. They want to ensure every need is met and every heart is full. Every need. Every heart.
But what happens when the hero tries to save everyone? What becomes of the hero’s primary mission?
When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they immediately followed Him (Matthew 4:18-22). There was no concern about what they were doing prior to Jesus’ arrival. They were called by Jesus…and followed.
A bit later in Matthew 8:18-22, a scribe came to Jesus saying He would follow Jesus where ever He sent, but Jesus said, “[t]he foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).” Jesus’ statement may have been a direct ‘challenge’ for the scribe to accept considering his lifestyle as a scribe. The scribe was not disqualified from following Jesus, but it was something he needed to consider.
A disciple is a person that is conformed into the image of Jesus through careful study and obedience to His life example, commands, and guidance through the Spirit.
Jesus outlines what one must do to be a disciple, how a disciple is identified, and how they are to live. Below is a listing of scriptural references that further outline the preceding sentence. Disciples:
1. Are not forced to follow Jesus (John 6:43-71).
2. Are drawn by the Father (John 6:44).
3. Must hate their father, mother, wife, children, and their own life (Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 14:26-33).
1. We like seeing examples of righteousness. Throughout history, there has been many men and women of great faith. Through the trials they faced, they had the assured trust and confidence in the promises of God. They displayed a level of faith we aspire to achieve:
Hebrews 11:35-40 – Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
2. Jesus is our greatest example of righteousness. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life in spite of evil intentions, jealousy, strife, and even his own emotions. He lived in obedience to His Father and His purpose on earth. He understood who He was and what He was called to accomplish. Nothing swayed Him from His path and purpose for living (Luke 9:51-56).
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