So, these 12 disciples had 3 years with Jesus and had some ups and downs in “getting what it meant to follow Christ.”
+ Dropped all they had to follow him when Jesus asked them to, left family, job, etc.
- Misunderstood that Jesus would die for them as a way to conquer evil and sin.
- Fought with each other (jealousy, pride).
- Said they loved Jesus to his face and would rather die then deny Jesus, then Peter later denied him 3 times for fear of persecution.
- Doubted Jesus’ resurrection (Thomas had to put his finger in Jesus’ hand).
- Struggled to believe (Peter walking on water, feeding of the 5000, etc).
- James and John asked for special authority to sit next to God (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus’ response was to that if you want to be great….be a servant just as I, Jesus, will soon be.
-Jesus post-resurrection – forgives Peter for doubting him and (John 21:15+) essentially tells Peter that you will die for the cause of the kingdom and to glorify God. Peter’s response…well are the other disciples going to die for you also? Jesus essentially says “what’s it matter to you – you follow me and they’ll do what’s in store for them”
+ Jesus repeatedly taught them through parables, prophecy, quoting the OT, and giving them commandment and empowering them.
+ Through the Holy Spirit they performed miracles, led people to Christ, and spread the Gospel.
A lot of times we view the disciples in 1 of 2 ways:
1. The disciples were the greatest ever
2.They were a bunch of bumbling, idiotic teenagers
The reality is they were regular people who trusted in God, had moments where they didn’t get it, but ultimately came around (except Judas) and changed the world.
Jesus stayed on Earth for 40 days not only so people could witness that he rose from the dead….but also to make sure the disciples “got it” and knew what to do next. The days of competition and comparison were over. They were all entrusted and had unique roles.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father ,Son, & Holy Spirit, teaching to obey everything I have commanded…”-Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” -The Holy Spirit was with the disciples to enable them to do this now that Jesus was ascending to heaven.
When the disciples stopped worrying about comparing which was greater than the other and fighting they were able to do amazing things for God's kingdom.
The comparison temptation happens today in your:
School - Clothes, grades, athletic ability, physical features, future college or major, who your friends are, what activities you’re in,
Home - Sibling rivalry, getting defensive when you’re asked to do something that may be more difficult than whatever your sibling was asked to do
Church - Who drives what, who gives $ or time, who has the best behaved kids, whose church is “doing more,” who knows the pastor the best, who gets to play in the band
All these things keep us off of the focus of serving God and building his Kingdom. Get away from comparisons and use what God gives you.
LUKE 21:22 “What is that to you (what others have or will do)? You must follow me.”
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”
Whatever God gives you is what God believes you can do at that moment, continue to use that and he’ll give you more opportunities to serve him.
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