Musical Moments with Mike
To be a disciple of Jesus means we are students who learn what to believe and how we should act. Discipleship also means ‘follower’ in the strongest sense of the word. It means anywhere Jesus goes we will go – anything Jesus instructs us to do we will do.
Sometimes disciples who are learners do not transform into disciples who are followers. In John 6 there are many disciples who kind of follow Jesus – but for the wrong reason. They like the idea of following Jesus as long as He provides for them physically; however, they were not into following Jesus as obedient disciples when He places His radical demands of discipleship on them. John writes, “Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it? As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:60,66).
Some “Christians” are more fan than follower (See Kyle Idelman’s excellent book entitled Not a Fan). They love Jesus to provide for them, and they are willing to follow Him IFFF it is easy, but they are not about to sacrifice and do anything that requires change in their lives. In other words, they are selfish, self-centered, false, fake, phony, followers. (I’m trying not to sound too judgmental but there seems to be an abundance of those in the world today.)
We want to be like the apostles. John writes of them in the same event, “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” (John 6:67-68).
As disciples of Christ we are to be like in love, holiness, servitude, and even in suffering for our faith. It may not look very pretty some days as we mess up and fess up; however, there is no doubt where our heart is and where we are in our commitment to follow Jesus.
Read John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:1-11; and I Peter 2:18-25. Following these passages will keep us busy in our discipleship. Then listen to I Will Follow by Christ Tomlin. After that follow in the footsteps of Jesus today with renewed energy.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
1 Peter 2:18-25
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.