IT AIN’T EASY – BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” Matthew 4:23.

Imagine, if you can, what would happen in a world where medical technology was practically non-existent; no pharmaceuticals, no hospitals, the doctors’ training was less than rudimentary, and a man begins to heal every disease and every affliction among the people.

“So, his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.” Matthew 4:24-25.

Imagine the stories, the rumors, the wonders and confusion that would have spread among people. Imagine the crowds that would begin to search for this man and would begin to make pleas to Him, beg Him and demand help from Him. This man was Jesus, and IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN EASY on Him.

DISCIPLES GIVEN AUTHORITY

Read further with me in Matthew 10:1, “And Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.”

“Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:5-8.

MAKE DISCIPLES TO DO WHAT JESUS HAS DONE

And, finally, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

IMAGINE ACTUALLY BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

You call yourself a Christian, right? Why is that? Why do you call yourself a Christian? Is it because you ‘said a little prayer, said you love Jesus, and accepted Him into your heart?” Is it because you do ‘good things’ in Jesus Name?

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will do what I have told you.” John 14:15.

Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23.

Calling ourselves a Christian is easy. But being a Christian, being a disciple of Jesus, AIN’T EASY – It is hard. But, just imagine! Yes, just imagine.

Just go and do it!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young