Jesus’ ministry wasn’t just about Him going around Israel preaching and healing – it also involved the making of disciples who would follow Him wherever He would go. He called several men to several men to do just that. The call of Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20). The call of James and John (Matthew 4:21-22). The call of Matthew himself (Matthew 9:9). Jesus would end His time on earth with a command for them to make more disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). This is what has become to be known as the “Great Commission.” In His Great Commission was given to His first disciples, and to every disciple after, the command to go, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Go is the Greek word “poreuomai” (por-yoo-om-ahee), and it means to travel, to depart, to go away, to go forth, to take a journey, or to walk. We can see this put to action in (Romans 10:14-15). Let us be the ones with beautiful feet, who tell many people how they might be reconciled to Christ.
Maybe you have heard the gospel from just such a person, and now perhaps you believe in Jesus. The question you might ask yourself is, “Am I a disciple of Jesus Christ?” The word “disciple” literally means a learner. Biblically speaking, it would define one who follows Jesus Christ and adheres closely to what Jesus teaches and then putting to practice what is taught. For this reason, disciples were spoken of as imitators of their teachers. When Jesus said to Peter, Andrew, James, and John “Follow Me,” it meant more than to just physically follow Him. As stated by Jesus himself it is to be like his/her teacher (Luke 6:40).
To be Jesus’ disciple then is to strive to be like Him. This coincides with God’s goal in the redemption of mankind (Romans 8:29). The question is, “Are you trying to follow Jesus and become like Him? Unless you do, it cannot be said that you are His disciple. Now some people might take issue with that statement in our world today, who think that just getting saved is enough, but it’s true. Jesus actually gave us some identifying marks which help to identify what and who a true disciple is. The marks of a disciple of Christ are seen in…….
- Abiding in Jesus’ words
- Note what Jesus said to those who believed in Him – (John 8:31)
- This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings of Christ
- It also requires one to be a “doer” of the Word – (Matthew 7:21-27) (James 1:21-25)
- Loves the brethren
- Consider what Jesus said to His followers – (John 13:34-35)
- With a love patterned after the love of Jesus – “as I have loved you”
- With a love that is visible to the world – “by this all will know”
- This can’t really happen if you are out of fellowship with your local church family.
- Bears much fruit
- Read what Jesus told His disciples – (John 15:8)
- Notice the word “much” – also found in (v.5)
- Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
- But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God – (Matthew 5:16) (1 Peter 2:11-12)
Are you a disciple of Christ? Then look for opportunities to show that in your life, and then go and make more.