DISCIPLESHIP
Memorise: And he said to them all, if any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow
me. Luke 9:23
Read: Mark 8:34-37; Bible in one year: Luke
23:6-24:53; Job 29:7-20
At the beginning of the earthly ministry of our Lord
Jesus Christ, discipleship was a term used to describe the process of building
followers who were committed to the cause, teaching and beliefs of our Lord
Jesus Christ. It later becomes a common term used to describe the followers of
Jesus. Discipleship is the crux of the Lord’s final address on earth. In this
address known as the Great Commission, He charged us to make disciples of all
nations (Matthew 28:19). Discipleship is not something that happens immediately
after salvation, neither is it an optional experience for any Christian.
Discipleship, which essentially means following Jesus, is the essence of
Christianity
Discipleship as a Christian experience is a way of
life that requires paying a cost (self-denial), and communication to the cause
(taking up one’s cross). These two attributes required of a disciple are
clearly stated in many passages of the Bible, specifically Luke 9:23, says:
“And he said to them all, if any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me.”
This is further enunciated in Matthew 10:38:
“And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
Luke 14:27 stretched the idea even further by saying:
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross,
and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
The Bible speaks of following Jesus in relation to
self-denial and the cross. Discipleship is therefore the way of sacrifice.
Paying the cost of discipleship through self-denial
and commitment to the cause of Jesus by taking up one’s cross daily are two
important requirements to discipleship. By denial of self, Jesus does not mean
to deny one’s self of something. He means to renounce self; to cease to make
self the object of one’s life and actions. This involves a fundamental
reorientation of the principle of life. It is to place the divine will before
self-will. God, not self, must be at the centre of life. This is something that
is especially difficult for the average human being. I pray that as you read
this, the Lord will visit you and turn your focus from self and earthly things
to God and heavenly things in the Name of Jesus.
Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to focus on you alone. Help me
to pay the price of discipleship and to be committed to the cause of Jesus all
the days of my life.
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