A Disciple's Path

Mark 4:33-34 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
 
DO you want to get to know Jesus really well? Then become a disciple. What does a disciple do? He or she spends a good amount of time with Jesus.
    A disciple’s goal in Israel was to become like his rabbi. That’s why Jesus had many special teaching times with his disciples. He gave them the opportunity to know what Jesus knows. They would also learn how to do what Jesus does. To answer Jesus’ command to, “Follow me.” the disciples engaged with him mentally, emotionally and physically. Disciples literally followed a rabbi as closely as they could. They crowded around him as he walked. They sat or stood close to him as he taught. They were attentive. They asked questions. Jesus clarified his parables’ meanings. He is the Teacher who wanted to be sure his students learned the true meaning of his lessons. The Teacher wanted his students to have perfect scores on their “Disciples’ Test”! Their disciplined following eventually caused Jesus’ way to become their way.
    How do you become a disciple? You first sit and listen. You must literally sit with his Word and come to know God’s history of his work in the world. Learning God’s story is absolutely necessary for you to understand his work in your life. The Word transforms your mind when you learn of those who sacrificed and suffered to make God known to neighbors and to nations. You learn why God formed Israel. You understand why the LORD blessed Israel and why he cursed his chosen nation. God’s story teaches you what God detests and what he loves. Knowing these things with ears to hear will help you become a disciplined follower of the Lord God.
    A disciple also sits with others to ask questions and learn the Bible. It’s essential you engage in effective Bible study. The Bible has too much information to learn on your own. You will help others learn what you know. They will help you learn what they know. Disciplined disciples help make disciples.
    Disciples also listen to God’s Word. Today you can listen in any number of ways. Yu can listen to preaching in church and teachings on television and on the radio. Podcasts and websites are available with some of the world’s best teachers free of charge. God’s Word is everywhere. You just need to make an effort to hear it.
    You might say, “That’s too much.” But it’s not. If you did these things for 30 to 60 minutes a day, you will learn a great deal. And besides, how could you get too much of the eternal God? How could you get too much of the God who paid the extravagant cost or your sin with his life and now freely offers you eternal life?
    To be Jesus’ disciple requires discipline to follow him as he commands. Good discipline always strengthens. Commit to your Lord, so you will be a disciplined follower of the Lord of your life.