Jesus saw that all the people were around him. So Jesus told his followers to go to the other side of the lake. - Matthew 8:18
Jesus had this intriguing habit of withdrawing from the crowds. At first glance, we want to correct him, and remind him, that he is trying to win the world for God. How is he going to do that by running away from folks who are seeking him? Then we realize how ludicrous such a thought is, and we realize the audacity of even thinking we could give him advice.
Hopefully, this insight will lead to conviction. Jesus wasn't trying to gain an audience; he was trying to prepare an army. He is not trying to gain a following; he wants to forge followers. He didn't need "hangers on"; he was looking for disciples. A disciple, a true follower, doesn't just go around listening to all the neat stuff the Teacher says.
No, a true disciple is going to become like the Teacher. In the process of becoming like the Teacher, the true follower will be confused, amazed, bewildered, astounded, tested, saved, broken, encouraged, exposed, protected ... Jesus' goal for his disciples was to make true followers. He wasn't interested in a big church membership roll; he wanted committed followers! That is as radical today as it was then.
Yes, true followers will be church members, but they're also going to be a lot more. They're going to live to share Jesus' life with others and teach them how to live it.
Seek
. Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life. - Alexander Maclaren
You
. There is only one you. God wanted you to be you. Don’t you dare change just because you’re out numbered! - Charles Swindoll
Blessings
. Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayers and worn with thanks. - Thomas Goodwin
Saviour
. Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin. - Max Lucado
Jesus had this intriguing habit of withdrawing from the crowds. At first glance, we want to correct him, and remind him, that he is trying to win the world for God. How is he going to do that by running away from folks who are seeking him? Then we realize how ludicrous such a thought is, and we realize the audacity of even thinking we could give him advice.
Hopefully, this insight will lead to conviction. Jesus wasn't trying to gain an audience; he was trying to prepare an army. He is not trying to gain a following; he wants to forge followers. He didn't need "hangers on"; he was looking for disciples. A disciple, a true follower, doesn't just go around listening to all the neat stuff the Teacher says.
No, a true disciple is going to become like the Teacher. In the process of becoming like the Teacher, the true follower will be confused, amazed, bewildered, astounded, tested, saved, broken, encouraged, exposed, protected ... Jesus' goal for his disciples was to make true followers. He wasn't interested in a big church membership roll; he wanted committed followers! That is as radical today as it was then.
Yes, true followers will be church members, but they're also going to be a lot more. They're going to live to share Jesus' life with others and teach them how to live it.
Seek
. Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life. - Alexander Maclaren
You
. There is only one you. God wanted you to be you. Don’t you dare change just because you’re out numbered! - Charles Swindoll
Blessings
. Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayers and worn with thanks. - Thomas Goodwin
Saviour
. Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin. - Max Lucado
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment