Day 31 – Lenten Devotional
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 31 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019
Jesus taught His disciples
Matthew 10:24-25 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.
Of the 322 occurrences of “disciple(s)” in the bible 74% or 239 are in the gospels. “Disciple” means one who is a learner, pupil or apprentice. Disciples are willing to learn from one who desires to teach. Jesus called His disciples and taught them those things of eternal importance in their temporal walk; heavenly words for earthly mission. Jesus taught them morals, Scripture, theology, prayer and many other lessons to prepare them to continue His mission of spreading the gospel (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) guided by the Holy Spirit.
In the making of disciples the primary purpose of their discipleship is learning and the primary purpose of the disciple maker is teaching, the result then becomes expanded knowledge and close relationship. When you pursue a certain profession or field of study the ultimate attitude is one of willingness to learn, to be taught, to seek the teaching that will prepare you for the job. Typically you will seek out a good school, or professor, or craftsman who can teach you appropriately in order to prepare you for your future when you are no longer under their tutelage. Jesus taught His disciples so many truths. He taught the truth with a capital “T” to an audience that was not always willing to hear and “As a result of this (Jesus teaching) many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:66). Yet those who were true believers stood by Him and continued in an unbelievable ministry that changed the world!
“So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?”
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69)
Jesus has Truth to teach you if you are willing to be taught. Do not fall into the first camp of “pseudo” disciples who when they hear the Word of God, doubt, mistrust, and turn away. True disciples hear the Truth of God with their whole heart, soul and mind, and go exercise the heavenly teaching in their earthly world. Hear the great Disciple-maker and continue His mission of spreading the gospel and making more disciples.
REFLECT: Read through the gospels and see how many times and ways Jesus taught His disciples. It really is amazing the depth and breadth of Jesus disciple-making. How do you benefit from Jesus teachings? Does His teaching impact you in such a way that you serve God to impact others?
REPENT: Change your ways. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity in being taught by the Lord. Are you pursuing Jesus teachings like you know you should? Are you falling short of what God wants you to learn? You can change this very instant! Confess to God your idleness in learning and ask Him to give you a renewed hunger for His Word.
RESTORE: Disciple-making is what we are called to do as the body of Christ. Disciple-making is most effectively done by disciples who continue to sit under the teachings of Jesus so they can go and teach others to do the same. What a wonderful plan God has made. He works through mere human beings to continue His ministry of salvation and disciple-making.
Acts 2:46-47 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy