Biblical Discipleship Pt. 6 Discipleship: Little is Much in our Master's Hands!

We are now looking into the discipleship model Jesus used to train the twelve for kingdom ministry when the New Testament church was birthed (Acts 2). 

Disciples must go where the sinners are. 

Matthew 9:9-13  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11)  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12) But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13) But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Jesus called Matthew, who was one of the tax collectors working for Rome. The Jewish people had an intense disdain for fellow Jews who collected revenue for Rome. Jesus called out to Matthew "Follow me." Matthew got up, left his well paying position and without hesitation, he followed our Lord. 

Some time elapsed after calling Matthew to be a disciple, and Jesus came to a certain home to eat with other tax collectors and sinners. Matthew does not tell us who hosted this lavish affair but Doctor Luke does. Levi is another name for Matthew and it was Levi who put on a "great feast" for Christ.

This feast was not right after Jesus called Matthew to follow Him. It took place after Matthew had had time to become established in the faith and when he returned to Capernaum. He had compassion for old friends, of his own calling and character, and this led him to invite them to the feast where they might be able to hear the gracious words of Christ and be saved like he was.

The disciples were also present with Christ and when the self righteous Pharisees saw them eating, they demanded to know why their Master ate with publicans and sinners.

Jesus certainly had an important lesson of discipleship to teach His twelve follower/learners. He demonstrated that sinners need to hear the gospel of Christ because it tells them about sin, death, hell, and eternal condemnation. The gospel also has the good news of God now offering grace, mercy and the new birth to all who will believe through faith in Christ. 

The word's of Jesus connect to an Old Testament prophet named Hosea.

Disciples must share the mercy and grace of God. 

Hosea 6:5-7  Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. 6) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7) But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.  

You know the old saying, "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it?" Israel sinned by falling into idolatry dozens of times. God judged them each time by sending His prophets to tell them about their sins against Jehovah.

This passage is similar in that the heavy judgment has been inflicted. Notice what Jehovah says through this prophet. He cut them down by the words of His prophets. Jehovah desired mercy instead of sacrifices and wanted the people to know Him rather than bringing more and more burnt offerings. 

Jesus is teaching the disciples that they must be willing to go to the sinners because they need to hear the saving gospel of Christ. The Pharisees, Sadducees and religious leaders were concerned about appearances and externals rather than seeking a new heart and a new spirit from God. 

Disciples must seek Jesus when troubles come.

Matthew 14:12  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 

This verse introduces the miracle of feeding 5,000 people by Jesus. John the Baptist had just been beheaded and after caring for his body, the disciples came to Jesus to tell Him what happened. 

What Herod had done to John the Baptist was brutal and inhumane. Jesus's disciples were shocked, appalled and in need of comfort. They sought Jesus and that is what each believer should do whenever our heart is trouble by our circumstances. Seek Jesus, for if you seek Him, you will find Him. 

Jesus taught the disciples to be compassionate. 

Matthew 14:13-14  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14)  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 

Jesus took His disciples by ship to a more secluded place, probably to comfort them concerning the martyrdom of John the Baptist. However, vast throngs of people followed Jesus on foot and our Lord had compassion on them and healed all who were sick. 

Jesus redirected the disciples to kingdom ministry. 

Matthew 14:15  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 

The disciples had concern for the people because they made a long journey on foot to find Jesus and had not eaten all day. The disciples solution was to ask Jesus to dismiss them so that they could go to surrounding villages in search of food. 

Jesus's disciples were given a hard task. 

John 6:5-7  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7)  Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 

Jesus seemingly gave His disciples an impossible task. He told them not to send the people away. Rather, the disciples were to give them food to eat. John's gospel tells us that Jesus asked Philip where they could purchase enough bread to feed the multitude. He had a reason for asking the question because He already knew what He was going to do. 

Philip answered that a year of wages could not buy enough bread.  The situation seemed hopeless to the disciples but Jesus had another plan. 

Jesus' disciples thought the resources were insufficient. 

Mat 14:17  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 

The disciples told Jesus about the meager resources at their disposal: Five small loaves of bread and two fish. They were feeling overwhelmed because five small loaves and two fish was grossly insufficient to feed such a large group of people.

Jesus used limited resources to supply the great need. 

Mat 14:18-19  He said, Bring them hither to me. 19) And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

Jesus commanded the disciples to bring the bread and fish to Him. Then, Jesus took the loaves and fish and blessed it and brake them into pieces and gave the fragments to the disciples who distributed them into the crowd of people. 

All the multitudes needs of nourishment were abundantly met.

Matthew 14:20-21  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 

Every single man, woman and child ate until they were satisfied. Most estimate that the actual number of people was closer to 20,000 that Jesus fed. All the more amazing is that there were twelve baskets full of leftover bread and fish. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

These principles of discipleship are worthy of thinking about by Pastors, teachers, parents.

First, discipleship means running to Christ when tragedy strikes, life becomes overwhelming and trouble erupts. Jesus will never leave or forsake us and we can find strength and solace with Him.

Are we taking comfort that no matter what challenge we face in our church, our home or our family, Jesus is with us and He will help us?

Second, discipleship requires times when we need to regroup and reset. John the Baptist was murdered and the disciples were upset but Jesus took them apart so they could re-focus on their mission.

Have hard times hit us and the situation seems overwhelming? We run to Christ and He will help us get back on mission for His kingdom. 

Third, discipleship requires a compassionate heart. Jesus always demonstrated compassion for all people and so should we. In a world driven by hatred and strife, a compassionate heart is greatly needed. 

Do we have a heart of compassion for lost and hurting people?

Fourth, Jesus gave His disciples a seemingly impossible task. They looked at the task of feeding so many in a pragmatic way. A years wages could not buy enough food to feed that many people. They felt discouraged and saw no solution.

Do we face an impossible task in ministry, whether in church or at home? Turn to Jesus for hope and strength.

Fifth, Jesus took their limited resources and multiplied them into enough to feed almost 20,000 people. He can take the smallest resources and use it to advance His kingdom. 

Do we feel that our resources are woefully insufficient to meet the challenges of pastoral ministry, congregational issues or parenting needs? 

May we all take comfort as disciples of Christ, that Jesus will always do what He said He will do. Many times, we try to "fix" things ourselves when God is trying to drive us to Himself. May the Spirit of God grant understanding and strength to each of us as Pastors, teachers, parents and congregants.

Bob