Day 286

Following Jesus

Read: Matthew 10-12

Jesus had hundreds of disciples. A disciple is one who learns with the desire to be like his master. Does that definition describe you? From his many disciples Jesus chose 12 to be apostles. An apostle is one who is sent forth. Put together, an apostle was a disciple who was trained to go forth with the message of his master. Today, Christians have this responsibility. Working individually and together, we are to spread the gospel. Jesus equipped his apostles by teaching and by practical experience. So it must be with us.

Jesus invites others to become his disciples. At the end of chapter 11, he said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me” (vv. 28-29). Everyone who has a burden is invited to come to Christ to receive help. One way disciples learn is by asking questions. A question the disciples had concerned the unpardonable sin. In my ministry, several people have asked me if they had committed this sin. My answer has been that they have not, because those who have committed this sin couldn’t care less. It is good to be troubled by our sin, but we should then ask for forgiveness with the assurance we will receive it.

At the end of chapter 12, Jesus says that his disciples who do what he teaches are closer to him than his relatives. How close are you to Jesus?

PRAYER
Father, help us to learn from Jesus and to share what we have learned. For his sake. Amen.