DPF-01
990530AM
2000 years ago Jesus offered a group of men the opportunity to follow Him every day. The path He led them down was the disciples’ path. This morning we need to discover who the disciples were in the 1st Century, listen to what Jesus said to them, and then examine ourselves and see if we are Christ’s!
Getting the opportunity to follow Jesus every day! What an unforgettable moment it must forever have been. To wake up early, walk to the beach where your father’s boats were tied and set up to go out fishing as you did 6 days a week. But while getting the nets untangled up walked a man who talked like no one ever before or after. He said, “Follow me”.
Getting the opportunity to follow Jesus every day! That day it started as those fishermen began as the first of 12 disciples who would follow, listen, learn and obey the Master. What was it like to follow Jesus? Wonderful beyond words. They really never stopped talking about the thrill of following Jesus each day. It was always so exciting. Sometimes He would just talk to them, on-site. If they were in a field Jesus used the plants as pictures of spiritual life. Yet the pictures were so real the disciples would become uncomfortable aware He was looking and seeing into their very souls. Have you ever wondered what is would have been like to be one of the twelve disciples? Just think of it:
– to eat breakfast with Christ every day for 3 1/2 years
– to walk all day long and ask Him any question on any truth and have in always correct answer!
– to see Him at work and what work that was.
Getting the opportunity to follow Jesus every day! After three-plus years they saw so much. The bread that grew in the hands of Jesus so fast they could only carry it away by the bushel to feed thousands of people. Hands and feet, arms and legs that appeared from nowhere at the touch of Jesus and made blind, lame and disfigured bodies perfectly new and healthy. Hurricanes silenced, shrieking demons stilled, writhing and convulsing people calmed and whole. All in a day’s walk. Fever wracked victims raised with a word, dead and cold bodies sprang to life, and all in the presence of the Creator Himself.
Getting the opportunity to follow Jesus every day! Just think of the questions and the answers as Jesus led them step-by-step on the greatest journey of all. They walked, talked and lived with Jesus. Jesus calls them His disciples.