A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
Lesson #5
In our previous lessons we have looked at
the Biblical teachings on. . .
 The Beginning of the Christian Journey
 Becoming Equipped for the Christian
Journey
 The Ultimate Goal of the Christian Journey
 The Process of the Christian Journey
If we have embraced these Biblical
teachings and committed ourselves to live
by these teachings it has brought us to a
point in time that is best described as . . .
THE JOURNEY OF DISCIPLESHIP
Most Christians are not exactly sure as to
what the word “disciple” means. So we
will start from there.
Our New Testament was first written in the
Greek language which was the market
language of the Roman Empire
“Disciple” has the meaning of “a learner”
(i.e. pupil). It refers to anyone who follows
the teachings of another and puts into
practice those teachings.
The following two statements by Jesus
provides good examples:
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who
believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed.’” John 8:31.
To His disciples Jesus said,
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear
much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
John 15:8.
It also helps us to consider that there were
disciples of John the Baptist.
“Then the disciples of John came to Him. . .”
Matthew 9:14.
The Religious sect called “Pharisees” proudly
claimed to be “Moses’ disciples.” John 9:28.
The twelve apostles of Jesus were normally
referred to as “His disciples”
“And when He (Jesus) had called His twelve
disciples. . .” Matthew 10:1.
In the book of Acts devout believers in Jesus are
commonly referred to as disciples.
(See Acts 6:1, 2, 7; 14:20, 22, 28; 15:10; 19:1)
What is Required to Become a Disciple of
Jesus?
The following statement by Jesus gives the
answer:
“. . .If anyone desires to come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross daily and
follow Me.” Luke 9:23
(Also Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34).
Most of us will agree that this is the most
challenging requirement that we could ever be
called upon to make.
In all likelihood an image also comes up in
our mind as we think about what Jesus
said and we are inclined to think, “That
sounds like the most miserable life I could
possibly live.”
And yet, Jesus said on another occasion,
“The thief does not come except to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy. I have come
that they may have life, and that they may
have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.
Jesus came in order that we may have abundant life!
How do we reconcile these seemingly contradictory
statements? We must look at them from the
viewpoint of God.
1). We must recognize that all mankind are born
spiritually dead.
“For as in Adam all die. . .” 1st Corinthians 15:22.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the
world, and death through sin, and thus death
spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Romans 5:12. (Also read Romans 3:9-20).
2). When Jesus died on the cross for our sins He
received the punishment for the sins of mankind.
God also accounted that we were in Christ and
our fleshly nature received the punishment for
our sins as well.
“…Knowing this, that our old man was
crucified with Him, that the body of sin might
be done away with, that we should no longer
be slaves of sin.”
Romans 6:6.
A thorough reading of Romans 6 reveals
that God has placed on His records that
the fallen fleshly nature of every true
believer was placed into Christ and
remained dead in the grave when Jesus
rose again. That will remain in God’s
eternal record.
3). We must put these truths into practice.
In Romans 6 and other Scriptures we
discover that to make God’s record come
true in our earthly journey we believers
must daily reckon this true by faith.
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to
be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:11.
The purpose of all this is to liberate our
spiritual nature from the bondage of the
fallen fleshly nature so we can freely live
our life pleasing to God.
“For he who has died has been freed from
sin.” Romans 6:7.
All of this may sound mystical and even
impossible but our part is to believe God
and put our faith into action.
“Do not lie to one another, since you have
put off the old man with his deeds, and
have put on the new man who is renewed
in knowledge according to the image of
Him who created him.”
Colossians 3:9, 10.
CORE HABITS OF A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
Take up your cross daily.
A cross is an instrument of death. This signifies
that we are to spiritually crucify our fallen fleshly
nature every day by faith. The question arises
as to why this is necessary every day.
The obvious answer is “because our fallen
fleshly nature has a resurrection every
morning.”
We need to hang it on the cross early.
Learn about Jesus
On the positive side we must learn about
Jesus if we are going to be His disciples.
From our relationship with Him, His
teachings and actions in the Scriptures
and the illumination of the Holy Spirit we
must learn everything we can about Jesus.
We need to learn that:
Jesus was and is God.
He answered the Jewish leaders seeking to kill Him,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I
AM.”
With this answer Jesus identified Himself as Jehovah
God Who Moses requested to reveal His name.
“And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. . .”
Exodus 3:13, 14. (See also Revelation 1:4-8).
As God, Jesus is holy, righteous, just, and good. He is allknowing, all-powerful, eternal, true and unchangeable.
Jesus is the Messiah/Christ
The Hebrew word translated into English
as “Messiah” and the Greek word
translated “Christ” have the same meaning
which is “anointed one.”
The Scriptural meaning is that Jesus was
chosen by God, authorized by God and
empowered by God. As the
Messiah/Christ, Jesus was anointed to be
God’s chosen Prophet, Priest and King.
As God’s chosen Prophet
(See Deuteronomy 18:15-19).
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom
during His first coming (See Matthew 4:17).
He offered Himself to Israel and they rejected
Him and provoked the Roman authorities to
crucify Him. His offer to establish His kingdom
with Israel was withdrawn and postponed until
His second coming when He returns in power.
As God’s chosen High Priest
Jesus is affirmed to be appointed by God,
the Father 17 times in the book of
Hebrews. Some of His major works are:
He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the
sins of
mankind “once for all.”
Hebrews 7:27; 9:11, 12, 26-28, 10:10-14.
He became the Mediator of a New Covenant that was
better than the old Covenant of Moses.
Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13; 12:24; 13:20.
As the . .One Mediator between God and man. . .”
(1st Timothy 2:5) He is sympathetic with our
weaknesses so that we can “come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and
find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16.
As God’s Chosen King
Jesus rules over His kingdom in mystery
form during the church age.
This is the principal time He gathers
citizens for the kingdom of God in power.
It includes gentiles as well as Israelites.
Jesus shared with His apostles
“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the
Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And
other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them
also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and
there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10: 15-16.
Jesus also gave “The Great Commission” to His
disciples,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you.. .”
Matthew 28:18, l9.
The time will come when Jesus will establish His
kingdom in power.
Jesus gave John the following vision:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white
horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He
judges and makes war. . .” “And He has on His
robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:11, 16.
Those who become disciples of Jesus are
destined to be on the victorious side for all
eternity.