Being A Disciple - Part 2

By Mark McCrary

This article continues from last week where the questions addressed were “What is a Disciple?” and “Why is it Important for Disciples to be Like Christ?”

What Is Expected of a Disciple?

The life of a disciple is marked by several key characteristics. First and foremost, a disciple is a learner (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus calls people to Him to learn and grow. Baptism marks the beginning of this journey, but it’s not the end. Continued learning—through personal Bible study, attending Bible classes, and listening to teaching—is essential for growth. This is why the early church made preaching and teaching such an important part of their gatherings (Acts 20:7).

Second, being a disciple requires following Jesus with total commitment (Lk 9:57-62). In the same way the disciples left their nets to follow Jesus (Lk 5:11), we are called to leave behind anything that would keep us from fully following Christ. Commitment is essential because without it one cannot receive the crown of life (Rev 2:10). This is one of the failings of the teachings of “once saved, always saved” and “preservation of the saints.” These teachings fail to understand why we are saved—to represent God.  If we fail to do so, we fail in our role as disciples and do not have the blessings that come to disciples.

For this reason, obedience is another vital aspect of discipleship. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Our love for Him compels us to obey His teachings, and that obedience transforms us. As Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, we are to be “transformed by the renewal of our mind.” This transformation is evident in the lives of disciples who speak like Jesus, act like Jesus, and love like Jesus.

A true disciple also makes a public confession of faith (Matthew 10:32-33), openly declaring allegiance to Christ even when it is unpopular or risky (Acts 4:19-20).

Love, service, and sacrifice are further hallmarks of a disciple’s life, as seen in the early church (Acts 2:42-47). The early Christians lived lives of love and humility, drawing many to Christ through their example. Following Jesus may require self-denial and even carrying a cross (Matthew 10:38), but the life of a disciple is one of continued growth (2 Peter 1:5-10; Colossians 2:6-7).

Making More Disciples

Understanding discipleship reshapes the way we approach evangelism. The goal isn’t simply to "save" people from hell but to bring them to God and teach them to follow Him. Importantly, baptism is a crucial step, but it is not the journey's end.  In 1 Corinthians 1:16-17, Paul said he didn’t come to baptize, but to “preach the gospel.” The goal isn’t merely to escape judgment, but to live transformed lives that reflect “the gospel”—the good news of Jesus!

This, then, changes how we evangelize. Instead of focusing solely on warning people about hell, we lift up Jesus for the world to see (John 12:32). The best way to do so is not through fear of hell, but through love—God’s love for us and then our love for others.  This is the impact of Jesus’ teachings on our lives.  As disciples, we become living testimonies of Christ’s teachings (Matthew 5:16; John 13:35). Our transformed lives, marked by peace, joy, and purpose, become the most powerful witness to the gospel (1 Peter 2:12; Romans 12:2). Then, in words, we share the teachings of Jesus with others.

Conclusion

Being a disciple of Jesus is more than knowing facts or performing rituals. It’s about living a life that mirrors Christ, deepening our relationship with God, and showing others what a transformed life looks like. As we follow Him, we become reflections of His character in the world. This is the life Jesus calls us to live. Through our discipleship, we offer the world a better way—a life of purpose, peace, and joy in Christ.

Being a Disciple - Part 1

By Mark McCrary

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His followers to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19-20). The concept of discipleship is central to His teachings. Yet, in modern Christian discussions, there’s often more focus on the question of salvation: “Are you saved?” or “Do you want to be saved?” “Have you been baptized? Do you want to be baptized?” While these questions are important, they can sometimes miss the depth of Jesus' call. Being baptized and saved can become a state of achievement—a box checked, where little is expected beyond attending church occasionally or maintaining a basic spiritual routine. But Jesus calls us to much more. He calls us to discipleship.

Discipleship is more than just accepting Jesus; it’s a lifelong journey of following and being transformed by Him. In fact, the Gospel of John, which emphasizes belief in Jesus (John 20:30-31), uses the word “disciple” more than any other New Testament book. John’s vision of belief is intertwined with being a disciple, not simply someone who is saved. It’s in understanding discipleship that we can truly grasp the life Jesus calls us to live.

What Is a Disciple?

A disciple, in its simplest definition, is a learner—someone who follows the teachings of a master. In Jesus' time, “higher education” consisted of a person becoming a disciple of a rabbi, not merely to gain information, but to adopt a way of life. The master would pass on his teachings, and the disciple would absorb those teachings and put them into practice. The relationship was deeply personal, with disciples often living and traveling with the teacher, learning through both instruction and observation.

For the Christian, our Master is Christ. To be His disciple means to follow His teachings and strive to live as He lived. As Jesus 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” (Matthew 11:28-30). While Jesus calls the suffering to Himself for relief, this is also a call for disciples, bowed down with the oppressive, self-serving teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, to come to Him and take His yoke (teachings) and be changed by Him. As we follow Jesus, we are molded into His image (Romans 8:29), learning to live as He did, reflecting His character to the world around us (Galatians 2:20).

Why Is It Important for Disciples to Be Like Christ?

Jesus came to perfectly bear the image of God to the world (Hebrews 1:3; John 14:9). He was the fulfillment of what God always intended for humanity—what He had desired from Israel in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:6). In many ways, Jesus is presented as the "anti-Adam" (Romans 5:14-19). Where Adam failed and gave into sin, Jesus remained sinless. Where Adam failed in the Garden, Jesus succeeded (Mt. 26:36-46). Where Adam submitted to temptation, Jesus resisted it (Matthew 4:1-11).

Jesus’ life shows us what it means to live as God intended. We take His words to heart; it is enough for us as disciples to be like our Master.  That is the heart of discipleship—living in such a way that we reflect His image to the world. As we reflect His image, as He reflected the Father, then we fulfill our initial design of bearing God’s image to the world around us.  All because Jesus releases us of our sins and teaches us how to walk (1 Jn 1:7).

(to be continued next week with the topics, “What is expected of a disciple?” and “Making More Disciples”)

God So Loved the World

By Paul Earnhart

God’s love for mankind has been expressed in more ways than we can count.  His creation of man was an act of love, to say nothing of the wonderful world which He made for our habitation.  He gave us eyes to see and mountains and flowers and colorful sunsets to behold.  He gave us ears to hear and the song of the birds and the roar of the ocean to enjoy.  He gave us the gift of taste and delicious food to satisfy our appetites.  Who can count the material and physical benefits He has provided?

But when we try to describe the love of God, all of these things become insignificant beside the gift He gave for satisfaction of our spiritual needs.  Jesus described it in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God knew that the needs of the inner man are greater than those of the outer man.

God’s love is surely the greatest love of history, and it was expressed in the greatest gift of all time…the gift of His only begotten Son.  Its purpose was to rescue each one of us from the greatest possible tragedy: eternal death.  And to provide for us the most valuable blessing we can hope to attain: eternal life.

Our world does not now comprehend what God did.  Our thinking is so dominated by our concern for here and now, for the needs of our physical bodies, that most people give little attention to the needs of the spirit.  But one day, all of that will change.  Regardless of how we may prosper in material things, there will come a day when none of those things can help us.  When we come to the time of our death, the important thing will be our relationship to God.  If we are not right with Him, all will be lost.  Jesus is our way to God (John 14:6).  Only those who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  And belief in Him means full submission to Him.

Lessons from Barabbas

By David Norfleet

In the dramatic moments leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, we witness a profound injustice unfold—a narrative that resonates through the ages. As Jesus stands trial before Pilate, the decision to release Barabbas, a notorious criminal, instead of the innocent Savior stands as one of history’s greatest travesties. This moment, captured in the Gospels and Acts (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-40; Acts 3:14), invites us to explore crucial lessons that emerge from this painful story.

Life Isn’t Always Fair

The first lesson we encounter is the harsh reality that life is not always fair. In John 18:39-40, we see the stark contrast between justice and injustice, where the guilty are favored over the innocent. Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that the race isn’t always won by the swift or the battle by the strong. Jesus faced this injustice with a heart full of humility, submitting to God’s will even when He could have called upon legions of angels for rescue (Matthew 26:53). This serves as a powerful reminder for us: in moments of hardship, we can choose to respond with grace, just as Jesus did.

Ignorance Can Lead to Wrong-Doing

Another lesson emerges when we consider the ignorance that fueled the crowd’s demands. Acts 3:13-18 reveals that many of the Jews acted out of a lack of understanding. Their religious fervor, devoid of knowledge, led them to reject the very Messiah they had long awaited. This illustrates a critical truth: when our faith lacks understanding, we risk making grave errors. They failed to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, by allowing their own preconceptions to incorrectly interpret scriptures such as Isaiah 42:1 and 52:13-15.

The Danger of Blindly Following

The crowd’s choice to demand Barabbas’s release underscores the danger of blindly following others. Stirred up by the chief priests, they lost sight of justice (Mark 15:6-15). This scenario serves as a cautionary tale against the mob mentality that can sway us. Matthew 15:14 warns us not to follow those who lead us astray. It’s essential to engage critically with our beliefs and choices, rather than simply go along with the crowd.

The Loudest Voices Often Get Their Way

In moments of public pressure, we see how the loudest voices can dominate the narrative. Luke 23:13-25 illustrates how Pilate, faced with a tumultuous crowd, ultimately chose to appease them rather than uphold justice. This phenomenon isn’t unique to biblical times; it happens in our world today. Leaders often prioritize the demands of the loudest factions, as noted in Mark 15:15. We must remain vigilant against the sway of public opinion and be wary of the influence of the masses, as warned in Exodus 23:2 and Proverbs 1:10-15.

Hypocrites Are Blind to Their Hypocrisy

The hypocrisy of the religious leaders stands out starkly in this narrative. They accused Jesus of rebellion while failing to recognize their own similar transgressions (Luke 23:1-5). Their cry, “His blood be on us” (Matthew 27:25), reveals a troubling blindness to their own hypocrisy (Matthew 23:6-7; 15; 23). This reminds us that self-awareness is crucial; we must be willing to examine our own hearts before pointing fingers at others.

Barabbas Represents Every Sinner

Finally, Barabbas’s story resonates deeply with each of us. Like Barabbas, we are all guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). Yet, in a profound act of grace, the innocent Jesus took the place of the guilty, offering us the chance for redemption (Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:6-8; Galatians 3:13). Barabbas’s release symbolizes the hope that we, too, can be set free through the sacrifice of Christ.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the fate of Barabbas, we’re left with questions. What happened to him after his release? Did he remain unchanged, or did he experience a transformation? Perhaps he became a Christian, only to later stray. Or maybe he embraced the truth of Christ and lived faithfully until the end.

Ultimately, we are all faced with choices that shape our lives. Like Barabbas, we have the opportunity to respond to grace. The question remains: how will we choose to live in light of the profound gift we’ve received? Each path we take leads us toward our own story of redemption, and it’s a journey worth considering.

“Let This Cup Pass from Me”

By Steve Gwin

On the night before Jesus was crucified, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His prayers were “with loud cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (Hebrews 5:7).  Matthew 26:39 records some of the words Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”  What was this cup that Jesus wanted to pass from Him?

Jesus had mentioned a cup He was going to drink in a conversation that seems to have happened only a couple of weeks earlier when the mother of James and John asked Jesus if her sons could sit, one on Jesus’ right and the other on His left, in His kingdom.  Jesus responded in Matthew 20:22-23, “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”  He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”  It seems clear that Jesus used the words, “drink the cup that I am to drink” to refer to His suffering.  James and John would indeed someday each suffer because of being His apostles.

When Jesus prayed “if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me”, He was using “cup” figuratively to represent all the suffering He would endure within the next several hours:

• falsely accused in repeated mock trials the rest of the night and into the next morning (Matthew 26:59-61; 27:1-2)
• repeatedly mocked, slapped, and spat upon (Matthew 26:67; 27:30-31)
• scourged, which was a brutal whipping that was so very painful as His flesh was ripped away (Matthew 27:26)
• a crown of thorns put on His head (Matthew 27:29)
• humiliated by stripping Him of His clothes (Matthew 27:28)
• the excruciating pain of crucifixion (Matthew 27:35)
• even more than all of the above, bearing all the sins of all humans, past, present and future (1 Peter 2:24).

It is likely that Jesus had an additional idea in mind when He prayed “if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me” because we read in Jeremiah 25:15-17, “Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: ‘Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.  They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.’ So I took the cup from the LORD's hand, and made all the nations to whom the LORD sent me drink it:”  In verses 18 through 27, numerous nations are mentioned, and then in Jeremiah 25:28-29, “And if they refuse to accept the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: You must drink!  For behold, I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished?  You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of hosts.’”  Drinking the cup of God’s wrath represented nations receiving God’s judgment for their sins.

A similar use of the “cup” figure of speech is in Revelation 14:9-10, “And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.’”  Again, drinking the cup of God’s wrath represented receiving God’s judgment for sins.

Let us every day give thanks for Jesus enduring the judgment we each deserve for our sins.  Jesus had no sin, but He drank the cup of God’s wrath for our sins, so we won’t have to drink it.