He was clear that we are called to be disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus.
Jesus was an unmarried homeless man who was executed by the state for treason. Many of his friends were criminals, sinners, thugs, outcasts and common people. Few of them were religious. He got kicked out of his home church (or synagogue) after saying things that deviated from the status quo. He spent most of his time with the sick, sinful, and sorrowful. He was so close to sinners that the religious leaders thought he was one, yet he did not one time succumb to sin. And nearly everything he said and did made religious people mad — such as when he told them to turn the other cheek, love their enemies, and give their money to the poor. (Sprinkle)
Jesus did not fit into anyone’s box. He did not come as they expected. He did not lead as they wanted him to lead. He was a servant. He came not sit on an earthly throne, but to rescue the sick. Jesus truly was unlike anything seen before. Even the Pharisees knew this; they had never heard anyone teach as Jesus taught. (John 7) He loved enough to share the truth; He told them what they needed, He communicated the truth.
Jesus was clear, He did not pull any punches.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” – Luke 9:23-24
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26-27
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." – Matthew 28:19-20
He was clear that we are called to be disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. Now the great question for the church today is “What does that look like?” This is obviously important to our Lord and should be important to His people as well. What is the “The Jesus Way” in our own personal discipleship journey and in the way forward as a church?
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