DT Reading VI: A Student of Jesus

 “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.” 

In our week 1 reading, I pointed out that the word ‘disciple’ in the Greek New Testament is ‘Mathetes’, which is also translated as a follower, pupil, and student. When we think about followers or students, we normally assume base on our experience that it is the students who seek, apply, and join schools or places to learn from teachers and not the other way around. Similarly, we also learn that this was typically practiced in the Jewish world; a disciple would voluntarily join a school or otherwise seek out a master rabbi; however, with Jesus the story was different. Jesus who is the Master, Teacher, and Lord, He seeks out and chooses those who He wants as His disciples (Mark 1:17; 2:14; Matthew 4:18-21). Again, a dedicated disciple was generally expected someday to become a rabbi (or teacher) himself, yet Jesus teaches his disciples that he will always be their rabbi and they will have a lifetime of discipleship (Matthew 23:8; Luke 14:26-27) (Disciple, MED).

Reading VI: Learning objectives:

 1.  He chose us

2. A growing disciple keeps learning

3.  A growing disciple keeps practicing\

4.  A lifetime student

 HE CHOSE US

To His disciples, Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16). One thing should be clear to us- Jesus always made the First Move. He did not choose his disciples because they chose him; He first chose them. Also, Jesus never chose His disciples on the basis of their performance, righteousness, or status; rather He chose them because of His own great love and plans for them. The words of Jesus stated in John 15:16, are true for us as well. None of us has chosen Jesus first, but He first chose us and appointed us. He has chosen us to be His disciples not because we are good people, but because of His great love, mercy, and plans for us. And we are chosen to be His followers all the days of our lives. We are all recipients of God’s grace and love; and we receive by trusting in His Words and what Jesus did for us through His life, death, and resurrection.

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS LEARNING

A disciple or student's primary purpose is to learn, and when learning takes place the result is growth (mental faculty, life, and social skills, etc.). If a disciple stops learning, he or she will stop growing and become a stagnant or dormant disciple. There is also a saying that ‘decay begins when learning stops.’ We also know that there can be a colossal distinction of growth between a student who learned in a prestigious university under a renowned professor and a person who never went to school, or learned anything from teachers.

Learning is vital in the process of growth. As disciples of Jesus, we are to keep learning to grow and become godly men and women. We learn about God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Love, Church, Discipleship, Faith, Serving, Giving, Sin, Redemption, Mission, and the list goes on. Various things are involved in learning, but two important factors that stand out are intention and attitude or our mindset. Without intentional effort, what we learn will not remain in us, and without the right attitude, learning cannot take place. The disciples of Jesus ask, Lord, teach us how to pray! Do you and I desire to learn and ask questions?

Christ has chosen us to be His disciples and so we are not disciples of pastors or professors or anyone, but at the same time, let us also not forget that when Jesus died and ascended to Heaven, He has given the Church the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints (Christians/disciples of Christ/to make disciples of Jesus) for the service, so that the body of Christ may be built-up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,  attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). We are to learn from our leaders, our pastors, our teachers, elders, etc., and from one another. 

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS PRACTICING

In his letter to Timothy, describing the people in the End Time Paul says, “There are people who always learn but never able to come to the truth” (2 Timothy 3:6); similarly James also warned his readers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). Growing disciples are doers, not just listeners or readers.

There is no human being born on earth that has grown up and become a world-class footballer without rigorous exercise and practice, nor is there any human being on earth without practicing has become an expert in driving cars. Everyone who desires growth must put into practice what he or she learns.

Learning and practicing are two sides of the same coin. One side cannot do away without the other. A person who learns about who God is but never puts into practice what God says cannot grow in his walk and relationship with God. The Scripture tells us, “In fact, this is love for God: To keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). A growing disciple keeps practicing what he or she learns from the Scripture; he submits and obeys a still voice of the Holy Spirit inside of him; he/she obeys and honors his parents, he receives counsel from the servants of God, he participates and serves in the fellowship of God’s people, etc.  

A LIFETIME STUDENT

Christ has chosen us to be his disciples for a lifetime, which also means He will be our teacher for a lifetime as well. What can be more exciting than to be a lifetime student of Jesus! And indeed, “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.”

“God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9)

Prayer points:

1.    Give thanks to Jesus for choosing you to be one of His disciples.
2.    Commit/recommit your life to God