Mark 6: 1-2 Jesus left
there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the
Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him
were amazed.
The
word ‘disciple’ comes from the Latin word for ‘pupil’ or
‘learner’. Here disciple is someone who has chosen to follow
the teachings and practices of Jesus. In John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the
Jews who believed Him, ‘if you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.’ Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the good news to all the
earth and continue the teaching He had begun. As Christians, we are meant
to follow in this path, continuing to spread the good news to all. It
could mean treating those around us with the same love Christ had, it
could mean teaching others about the good news, giving to those less
fortunate, or praising and worshipping Christ.
Being
a disciple is being a witness for Jesus Christ. However, without faith,
being a disciple is next to impossible. In Mark 6:6 Jesus was amazed at
the crowds’ lack of faith. How many more miracles could He have performed
if their faith was greater? Whether He was a carpenter or not, their lack
of faith prevented them from seeing the fullness of Christ’s potential.
The crowds did not expect a carpenter to have such wisdom, or the ability
to teach such truth. Do we not do this ourselves? Do we not have a
preconceived notion of how things in life should be? But if we had faith,
how much more would we see from Christ?
Being
a disciple is sharing the knowledge of Christ and the love we receive
from Him with others. In Mathew 5:16 it says ‘In the same way, let your
light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify
your Father in Heaven’. We are not meant to keep Christ’s love a secret;
instead as disciples we are to share it with those around us. We are to
be witnesses for Christ in this world.
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