A Disciple
Luke 10:1-16
If we call ourselves Christians, then we are disciples of Jesus Christ and must be on a daily journey of life with him. Luke recorded that “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26b). The name or title of Christian literally means “little Christ.” The word disciple (Gk., mathetes) means “pupil, follower, learner.” As disciples our goal is to learn from Jesus; to follow him; to be like him. Over the next several weeks, we will examine what it meant to be a disciple as Jesus journeyed with those who followed him up to Jerusalem one last time. We will apply the lessons we learn to our walk as Jesus’ disciple in the world today.
Becoming a Disciple
Jesus had many disciples during his lifetime. Luke 6:12-16 records Jesus’ appointment of the Twelve (Gk., dodeka) apostles (Gk., apostolos = “sent ones”) as his close disciples. In Luke 9:1-6 Jesus sent the Twelve out “. . . to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Jesus knew his time was limited and that soon he would be called to lay down his life for sin. Luke wrote, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). The next thing Jesus did after making this commitment was to appoint “. . . seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Luke 10:1). In Luke 9:2 Jesus sent the Twelve out to proclaim the kingdom of God just to the twelve tribes of Israel, but now Jesus sent the seventy to proclaim the kingdom of God to the world. Jesus had a great three part teaching pattern: 1) I do, you watch; 2) You do, I watch; and 3)You do. As he sent out the seventy-two, he was working on part of the disciples’ training. He was preparing his disciples for his Great Commission in Matthew 28 and Acts 1:8. It was not just the Twelve who went out in ministry but all those who followed Jesus on the journey. As you read Luke 10:1-16 below, listen for the characteristics that a true disciple/follower of Jesus needs to have.
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.
16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10:1-16 NIV).
A Disciple (1-16)
A disciple shares ministry with others (1). Jesus sent the disciples “two-by-two” as witnesses and for support, encouragement, and accountability. We are not to be Frank Sinatra Christians saying, “I did it my way.” We must work together for the good of all. Neither are we lone-wolf Christians who try to do it all on our own. We are a team, a body. We need everyone to get the job done. We all have a part in God’s plan.
A disciple prepares the way for Jesus (1). Notice that Jesus sent the disciples “ahead of him.” Like John the Baptist, we must be ones who prepare the way for God’s Spirit. We are in contact with those who need to hear about Jesus. We make introductions with the Spirit, who leads to Jesus, who reconciles with the Father.
A disciple tackles challenges (2). Jesus told his disciples that “. . . the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” We have endless ministry opportunities, and we need everyone working. The job is big and often seems overwhelming, but our God is bigger; he is the doer of the impossible. We must find our place in the field and start working. Standing and looking isn’t our calling as disciples.
A disciple prays (2). Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest . . .” Because being disciples is overwhelming in our own power, we must call on God for help. Jesus prayed regularly and often to the Father for strength and wisdom for each day, so must we.
A disciple shares gently (3). Jesus sent his disciples “. . . like lambs among wolves,” which meant the disciples would face opposition just as Jesus did. We live as aliens and strangers in this world (cf., 1Pe 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven (cf., Phil 3:20). We must share God’s truth with love and never with violence. The world uses violence but we must not. We cannot force someone to believe, but we can love them and set a faithful example until they do. The world will not respond to harsh demands but may respond to loving words backed by faithful actions.
A disciple trusts (4,7). Jesus said, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals . . . eating and drinking whatever they give you.” We must trust God that our needs will be met and that the Lord will provide what is needed when needed. Ask for what you need (v. 4) and accept what God sends (v. 7). We must not be picky but faithful. God will send what we need when we need it. Use it to his glory.
A disciple lives with focus (4). Jesus commanded, “Do not greet anyone on the road,” He was is not being rude. This is being focused on getting the job done. We must be tenacious and focused on our assignment. We are never rude, but we have a LAZER-like focus on our mission. We must know our mission; plan our mission; execute our mission.
A disciple proclaims peace (5,8). Jesus told his disciples to proclaim “Peace . . .” (v. 5), the kingdom of God, and healing (v. 8) to all who will hear in faith. Our message is one of reconciliation and life not disunity and death. Our message is one which leads to peace with God and the ultimate healing of eternal life. We all may not stand in the pulpit to preach, but we all live in the pulpit of our lives each day. What message do you proclaim?
A disciple respects others (10-15). We must allow others the right not to believe and to face the consequences of their unbelief. We are not called to judge others even when they reject us. We move on to those who will hear (v. 11). Jesus, the only righteous judge, speaks woes (vv. 12-15) to those who hear and reject the good news.
A disciple accepts responsibility (16). We are responsible to go where and when the Lord sends us and to do what he commands us to do. The results are in God’s hands not ours. The world is not rejecting us and our message, they reject Jesus and his message.
Being a Disciple Today
Being a disciple today is not that different than it was in Jesus’ day. We are on the road to eternity. The time may be short or awhile yet, but the end is closer each day. We must be faithful disciples of Jesus on journey with him each day. Like the disciples sent out by Jesus long ago, we must share ministry, prepare the way, tackle challenges, pray, share gently, trust, live with focus, proclaim peace, respect others, and accept our responsibility as his disciples in the world today. Jesus is with you on your journey each day—Follow him. Be a disciple.
- Being a disciple begins by saying “Yes” to Jesus as Savior.
- Being a disciple means following Jesus in the waters of baptism as a first sign of faithfully following him.
- Being a disciple requires a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus every day.
Comments