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Sunday School Lesson
A disciple is a learner. The person who is a disciple has made a personal, deliberate choice. This one who learns has been selected by the teacher, but has made the conscious decision to listen to the call, and do that which is necessary to learn all that is possible. At the time of the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, the educational system was built around the study of the Old Testament law. There were various teachers who had their schools. Acts 19:9; 5:34, 22:3. At times, the potential disciple would approach the teacher (Luke 9:57, 59, 61), or the teacher would invite someone to follow him (Matthew 4:18-22; John 1:43). It is important to understand that the call to the fishermen was not the first encounter that these men had known with Jesus of Nazareth. John and Andrew - disciples of John the Baptist (John 1:37, 40) - had visited with Jesus after his introduction by the son of Zacharias (John 1:38, 39). Simon had been introduced by his brother. John 1:41,42. No doubt there had been much discussion concerning this one with whom these men had visited. The hearts of these men must have been tender toward God. Thus, when the formal invitation was extended, they "left all, and have followed thee." Mark 10:28. It is important to remember that when Jesus invited someone to follow him, he did not beg nor plead. He, simply, extended the call, and allowed the individual to respond in a personal way. Thus, these men were willing learners, not some kind of reluctant students. Luke recorded a scene in which "there were great multitudes with him…" Luke 14:25a. As he spoke to this multitude, he "…said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, his own life also, he cannot be my disciple". Luke 14:26. No, Jesus was not requiring these people to disobey the fifth commandment. Exodus 20:12. Yet, He did require total commitment to him and the things of God. Luke 9:62. It is easy for us to think that Jesus used an extremely strong word when the used the word hate. However, in comparison to our love for him, the care for all of these other relationships might seem as hate. Earlier, he had shown that all of our life must be completely focused on one thing. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. The declaration to the multitude painted a word picture that was familiar to all these hearers. Even though the picture was not pretty, the principle was - and is - required, even in our day. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27. This exclusiveness of devotion seems to be hard, when a person desires a life of ease. Yet, the master stated this requirement on other occasions. Matthew 6:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23. A positive response to a call toward reformation might be made on the spur of the moment. This response can be made out of desperation, emotional appeal, or social pressure. However, the positive response to the call to discipleship is deliberate, and is based on personal calculations and underlined by commitment. Our lord used two examples of the calculated decisions - building and battle - that must enter into any acceptance of this divine call. "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish it." Luke 14:28-30. The use of the military example showed the multitude - and us - that our positive response to this call might place the lives of other people in danger. "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him that cometh against him with 20,000? Or else, while the other is a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." Luke 14:31,32. These conditions of peace often called for some kind of compromise. Compromise is not victory. This act often, simply, postpones the direct confrontation that must be encountered. When a person senses the divine drawing (John 6:44) toward discipleship, a positive response requires a change in lifestyle (1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14) and attitude (Philippians 2:5; Matthew 11:29). The singlefocus attitude of the disciple is not optional. "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33. This requirement of exclusiveness does not sit well with an anything goes mentality. It is easy for the carnal mind (Romans 8:5-7) to attempt to reduce the things of the spirit to the lowest common denominator. Jesus Christ of Nazareth ministered among the people at all levels of the social scale. However, he did not allow their standards to become the measuring-stick that regulated his thoughts nor his actions. The master declared, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me". John 6:38. Thus, we see the required mind-set of all who would follow him. The acceptance of the call to discipleship does not guarantee completion of the process. John - and the other gospel writers - wrote of the feeding of the five thousand. John 6:1-14; Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17. Following this event, the people sought after Jesus. John 6:15, 25. The master understood the motivation for this concerted action. "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." John 6:26. The savior began to use this time to teach some of the great principles of the kingdom of God. The seekers did not desire to hear these kinds of things. Many theological arguments were put forth. Jesus addressed them, but not in a way that turned into popularity. "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." John 6:66. After this mass exodus, the master turned to the 12, "Will ye also go away?" John 6:67b. Simon Peter spoke for the group. "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:68. Thus, the decision is not a one-timedeal, but a continuous conscious focus. Are you faithfully following Jesus Christ? If not, please come to him, today. John 3:16; Acts 16:31.
Rev. Temples can be contacted at P.O. Box 1569, Auburndale, Fla. 33823; 863-965-0157. Email: jctjet@ aol.com
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