In order for us to be disciples of Christ, we have to know Him. Many are called Christians but they do not portray the character of Jesus Christ. In order for us to evangelize, we have to know Christ. When we know Him, everything that we do would be focussed on sharing and glorifying Christ. One cannot disciple if they are not a disciple of Jesus Christ.
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 (NKJV)
To be a disciple means to be a follower. When Jesus spoke to the men in Luke 9, he was being real with them. He showed them the reality of what could happen when they followed Christ. God is calling us to a place where He has our full attention and gaze. He called the disciples to a life that was separated unto Him. The call of the Holy Spirit as a disciple is to be the church. When we have this call, we are transformed into a new creation.
In order for us to know Christ, we have to put in the work to have a relationship (John 14:21). Knowing Christ is a relationship. Jesus called us and initiated the relationship. He drew us unto Himself. This introduction may look different for each of us. Apostle Paul had an introduction to Jesus that was not planned or polite. He had an encounter. We have to cultivate our relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us in this regard. Cultivating this relationship includes reading the Bible, prayer and worship. During the life of Jesus here on the earth, He cultivated His relationship with God by pulling away from the people and spending time in the secret place. It is important for us to study, read and meditate upon the Word. However, we must be careful to not just have the knowledge of the Word but to also have the revelation and experience with God.
The disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They were not afraid to step out. They were not afraid of the faces. Sometimes we are afraid to step out and share the gospel with others. However, we are called to be like Christ and to walk like Him. Because of this, something has to happen. When we walk like Christ, everything will not be easy. Suffering is apart of our call. Through this suffering, we draw closer to Christ and become more like Him. If Daniel and the three Hebrew boys weren’t thrown in the furnace, they would have never had a spiritual encounter. We will have trials. We will have tribulations. But God will deliver us and cause us to grow in Him.
God takes us through a process of pruning so that we can come out as pure gold He is cutting away the things that are not of Him. He is shaping and moulding us into His character. He is teaching us obedience through sufferings (Romans 8:18-25, Hebrews 5:8, 1 Peter 2:21-23, 4:19). Everything is working for our good. It is going to get better.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us. The Holy Spirit was sent to guide and lead us (John 16:5-15). The Holy Spirit teaches, empowers and prunes us, the Bride of Christ. He is teaching us how to live for the eternal and not the temporal.
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:25-26 (NKJV)
Jesus spoke to the people regarding the conditions of being a disciple. Jesus was telling the people that the love they have for Him must be the first and most important. We may have responsibilities but they must be secondary to Christ. We must examine our hearts and ask ourselves a few questions. Are we truly disciples of Christ or church goers? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to burn off areas of our lives governed by the flesh? Are we really obeying God?
