The Disciples of Jesus: The Friends of Jesus
“The Disciples of Jesus: The Friends of Jesus” talks about what a disciple is and what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus. Just like the disciples were chosen by Jesus children need to understand they also are chosen by Jesus to be His disciples.
Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 6: 12-19
What is a disciple?
A disciple is a learner or a student. Sometimes you hear the word apostle used in place of disciple. The Apostles is almost always used in association with the 12 apostles of Christ. An apostle is a messenger one that is sent out to do something specific.
Luke 6:12-12 tells us that Jesus prayed to God for His twelve disciples or apostles. They were: Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Jesus called His twelve not because they were deserved but because God had mercy on them. That is the way it is today also no one chose to follow God with own initiative but each of us is called by God’s sovereign choice.
There is nothing we can do to be called to be a disciple of Jesus. You have to be chosen by Jesus to be His disciple. What we do is accept and obey that calling. We need to be good students and learn all that Jesus wants us to learn. We need to trust and know that God so loved us that He gave Jesus to us and those who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus knew what kinds of people he wanted to be His future replacement, those who would continue His teachings once He was gone. Jesus did not call the rich people like the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Jesus called the ordinary common workers with humble backgrounds. There are probably many who may say these disciples were not qualified.
Jesus knew they were the best men. Even if these disciples made mistakes they still learned from the mistakes and continued to obey the teachings of Jesus and preaching the gospel message to the whole world.
The way Jesus trained these disciples is He allowed them to be with Him. They got to walk and talk with Jesus and learn every day those things that Jesus wanted them to learn. They got to see that by just one touch by Jesus people were healed, or demons were driven out, that new life could come to a person.
Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the gospel. They were like Bible teachers. They preached the message of repentance, saying they had to change the way they were living and be like Jesus. The disciples needed to learn and grow constantly and they needed to learn the humility or humbleness and compassion of Jesus. They also needed to know the Scriptures, and the meaning of Jesus, His suffering, death and resurrection. They needed to learn how to communicate with all kinds of people and show love to all of them.
Jesus loved His disciples because they were a part of His Spiritual family. They all put the Lord God first in their lives. They left everything behind to follow Jesus. Those who obey the Word of God are all part of the family of Jesus.
Matthew 12:46-50 tells us One day while Jesus was teaching the people around him, his mother and brothers arrived and stood outside the door. They did not go in, but sent someone in to call Jesus. When the disciple told Jesus his mother and brothers were outside Jesus said, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” Then, looking at those seated around him, he said, “Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
What Can We Learn From This Story?
When we listen to the teachings and the Will of God then we are considered to be the family of Jesus. How do we do we learn the Will of the Lord God? Simply by reading His Word, the Bible, praying and walking every day just like we are walking holding onto the hand of Jesus.
Just because you are beautiful, come from a wealthy family or smarter or stronger than anyone in you school does not mean you belong to the family of Jesus. You cannot do anything to belong to the Lord God. You have to be chosen to belong. You can do nothing. You are chosen because you are loved and cherished by Jesus Christ who died and bleed for you.
Just like the disciples were chosen by Jesus it is very important to understand you also are chosen by Jesus to be His disciples. He wants you to walk with Him and talk with Him and be just like Him in all that you do.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Disciples of Jesus: The Friends of Jesus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1715,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “The Disciples of Jesus: The Friends of Jesus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1715,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “The Disciples of Jesus: The Friends of Jesus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1715, (accessed).
