THE DEMANDS OF DISCIPLESHIP

THE DEMANDS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Luke 9:1-9, 22-27; 57-66

1.    COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE (Luke 9:1-6)

This chapter is packed with emotionally charged events both for Jesus and all His disciples. In another place it is written that Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve (Luke 6:12-16). Here is chapter 9 we see Him commissioning them to go and preach, conferring on them power and authority. Here is their remit:

(i)                       Power over all demons

(ii)                      Power over all diseases

(iii)                    Power to proclaim the Gospel

(iv)                   Power to heal the sick

And here are things they were to avoid:

(i)                       Take nothing for the journey

(ii)                      No staff, no bags, no food, no money

(iii)                    No change of clothes

They were to depend on the goodwill of the people they meet. How is this possible? They people the minister to will surely take care of their needs with excitement. Some suggested that it was because of the brevity of their ministry. I rather believe that Jesus meant it to be the norm since theirs was a power ministry (Acts 16:12-15).

This power is lacking in the Church today. While it is true that not everyone will believe the Gospel, this kind of authoritative ministry will definitely attract a lot of attention and draw many to the Church.

2.    CUTTING OFF OF JOHN’S MINISTRY (Luke 9:7-9)

At this time John’s ministry was coming to an end, not necessarily because of the Herodian persecution and imprisonment, but because he was simply the forerunner of Christ (Isa.40:3; Mal.3:1; Mat.3:3). Jesus ministry had taken off in earnest with the commissioning of the disciples.  Some of the disciples of John even complained to him that Jesus was now making more disciples than him (John 3:26-30). Even John knew that his ministry was at an end. But his beheading by Herod was a traumatic time for our Lord (Mat.1:1-14), and was sequel to warning he issued to all those who would follow Him. He had to let them know the kind of persecution which would beset them. Power will follow them, but power and authority would not prevent persecution, even execution.

3.    CROSS-BEARING FOR ALL DISCIPLES Luke 9:22-27)

Jesus knew the kind of death that faced Him. He knew from that start of His ministry that He faced death by hanging on the cross. He also knew ahead of time what type of life faced all His disciples, especially the apostles.

He warned His disciple that He was going to suffer crucifixion, and that they would face similar situations leading to similar consequences in their lives. To be His disciples, men must:

(i)                       Take up their Cross and Follow Him (Mark 10:38; Luke 14:17)

(ii)                      Prepare to Lose Their Lives for His Sake

(iii)                    Beware of Being Ashamed of Him and His Words

According John Wesley, a disciple must be willing to quit that which was dear to them and they must come to Jesus thoroughly weaned from all their creature-comforts. They must be willing and cheerful to part with all those things rather that quit their interest in Christ. Every good man loves his relatives, but if he is a disciple of Christ, he must comparatively hate them. This means he must love them less than he loves Christ.

Every man loves his own life. No man ever hates his life. But if we become Christ’s disciple, we must love Him more than our own lives. So were the martyrs. They loved not their lives unto death (Rev.12:11). It is better for our lives to be embittered by cruel bondage or even ended by cruel death than to dishonor Christ. This is a hard saying, but the pleasures of the spiritual life and the believing hopes and prospects of eternal life make the saying easier.

Disciple must be ready to bear very heavy burdens. The early apostles experienced this literally.

4.    COUNTING THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS (Luke 9:57-62)

Three different people wanted to follow Jesus and be his disciple in this section. All three were presented with the stark consequences of being Christ’s disciples.

(1)           THE FIRST MAN: Foxes have holes (Luke 9:57-58) – Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world. He has no palace, not home. There is no evidence that He went back to Nazareth after staring His public ministry. He had no break in His ministry. He must pursue it till the end. Anyone who wishes to be His disciple must follow in His footsteps. He must be here to build great mansions or great business empires. His primary assignment must be the recovery of men.

(2)           THE SECOND MAN: Let the dead bury their dead (Luke 9:59-60) – These warnings were not meant to discourage people but to encourage true disciples. Cultural necessities must be subservient to our service to Christ. The preaching of the Gospel must have precedence over everything else that surround our lives as disciples. When the Gospel call comes, every other thing must be suspended! Family matters cannot override the demands of the gospel. Remember, “he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy to be my disciple”, He said.

(3)           THE THIRD MAN: Cannot look back once you have become a disciple (Luke 9:61-62) – No turning back once you have been accepted to be a disciple of Jesus.

It is shame and dishonor to Christ if after we start following Him, we then turn back along the way. His soul has no pleasure in such people.

We need to power with which the early apostles were commissioned to preach. We want to cast out devils, heal the sick while declaring the Gospel of the Kingdom. Then we will have the good will of those who are believing I Jesus, who are being healed, being delivered and being saved.

To have the power of Christ to preach, we must be willing to fulfil all the conditions of true discipleship.