The biblical account of Jesus and His disciples offers us a helpful pattern for our own Christian discipleship.
The disciples were so important to Jesus that He spent a night in prayer before choosing them.
After the night of prayer, Jesus summoned a group that He had been gathering around Himself, and from that group He chose the Twelve (Luke 6:12–13).
What role were these men to fill? The list would include them being learners whom He would teach and train, being prayer partners at crucial moments, becoming helpers and partners in His public ministry and being models for future followers.
From the example set by Jesus in His relationship with the original Twelve, we can learn some important aspects of about being Christ’s followers.
Easily understood
The basic invitation to Christian discipleship is expressed in a single word: come. It is a simple, easily understood word.
Young children understand its meaning. We say to a youngster, “Come,” and the child crawls or totters toward us. Jesus uses the same word for sophisticated adults. His invitation is always the same. If we would be His disciples, we must come to Him.
Andrew was told to look upon Jesus as the Lamb of God. Upon asking Jesus where He was staying, Jesus said simply, “Come and see” (John 1:39).
On another occasion, Jesus declared to a reluctant crowd that chose to give Him no place in their lives, “You are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:40).
Looking upon people who were weighed down with life’s difficulties and burdens, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
Drawn by the Spirit
Later, Jesus was speaking to an audience of Jews, telling them that He was Bread come down from heaven. He then gave them a warning word, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).
At a crowded feast day, Jesus stood and cried out to the people, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).
Over and over again, Jesus emphasized that being His disciple involved “coming to Him.” This is the word He has left with us.
We who comprise His Church are to speak it to our world: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts say, ‘Come!’” (Rev. 22:17).
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