“Discipleship is more than getting to know what the teacher knows. It is getting to be what He is.”
Juan Carlos Ortiz
Last week I began a two-part series on what discipleship looks like based on Luke 5:1-11. Being a follower of Jesus means we obey Him and do what He asks us to do because we trust Him, not because it makes sense. We experience His abundance as a result of our obedience.
A disciple’s response to the presence of God and the abundant blessing from obedience is humility and reverence. In response to all those fish, Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8)! The closer we are to Jesus, the more we become aware of our sinfulness. We acknowledge our impurity when standing next to the Pure One and we can’t help but honor Him.
Disciples are astonished at what Jesus does. Simon and “all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken” (Luke 5:9-10). Likewise, I am in awe and amazed at the various ways God moves in my life. My eyes of wonder are full when I watch Him work. His kindness toward me and my family blows me away! I have to testify of His goodness.
Followers of Jesus experience fear and receive a different destiny. Jesus was in tuned to Simon’s emotions and encouraged him to not be afraid. He also prophesied they would now catch men instead of fish (Luke 5:10). God has repeatedly placed me in situations I was fearful of and has placed me on a course I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen. But each one deepens my relationship with Jesus and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Disciples of Jesus leave everything to follow Him. Simon and his companions “left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:11). There is a cost in discipleship, but it is well worth it. The benefits of being intimate with Jesus outweigh the price we pay to be close to Him. Our sacrifice of time, resources and desires demonstrate the high value of relationship with Jesus.
Discipleship costs us something. We may be fearful with God’s new destiny for us. We’re amazed at what God does in our life. And the closer we stand next to Jesus, the greater our humility and reverence for God becomes. The ultimate goal of discipleship is for the student to become like their teacher and then in turn, disciple others to look more like Jesus.
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Relevant Reflections:
Have you left everything to follow Christ?
Do you love Jesus more than your relationships, possessions, career or ministry?