The Disciples of Christ
6 - The Disciples’ Charter
If you have a Bible or a New Testament will you turn with me again to Matthew’s Gospel chapter 16. Today I’m looking at verses 24 to 26. In this chapter we have recorded an important conversation which Jesus had with His disciples. In verses 24 to 26 we read these words:
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it".
In this statement the Lord Jesus was presenting to His followers his charter of discipleship. It was in itself a very clear challenge to all who were willing to hear it, and it comes over just as clearly to each one of His followers today!
This CHARTER OF DISCIPLESHIP indicates four particular requirements for those who would be true disciples. Here they are:-
First: “If anyone will come after Me" - that calls for DECISION.
Second: "Let him deny himself" - that calls for DISCIPLINE.
Third : “And take up his (or her) cross" - that calls for DETERMINATION.
Fourth : "And follow Me" - that calls for DEDICATION AND DEVOTION.
So, we have: Decision, Discipline, Determination, Dedication and Devotion. Let’s look at these requirements thoughtfully and in some detail as we are discovering what it means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus called first of all for DECISION. He said "If anyone will come after Me". The dictionary says that ‘to make a decision’ is to make a deliberate choice. When the Lord started His mission on earth, He called and challenged men to become His disciples. The call of the fishermen brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, is an example.
Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee one day and he said to them: "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And the Bible says, "At once they left their nets and followed Him". In other words, they made a decision, or a deliberate choice. I sometimes marvel at the immediate response of these ordinary men to the call of Christ. We must remember that Jesus never forced Himself or His teachings on anyone. He clearly described who He was, and what He had to offer to those who would believe in Him. He left the decision to them, as to how they would personally react.
There’s a very good illustration of this in the book of the Revelation chapter 3 verse 20. The Lord is speaking to the church in Laodicea and He says to that church: "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me". So, the decision on whether to open the door or to keep it closed always belongs to the hearer! Inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your life is the most important decision that you can ever make! If you haven’t yet made that decision you can do so now. Acknowledge that you are a sinner, and that Jesus gave His life upon the cross to save you. Reach out in faith now and receive Him, and if you make that decision, write to us and we will gladly send you a free booklet to help you further.
After calling for decision, Jesus went on to say: "Let him (or her) deny himself". So DISCIPLINE is the second requirement of Christ’s charter for discipleship. Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible commentator of the past, once said that "self-denial is the law of admission into Christ’s school." If we are honest with ourselves, we all know that self-denial is one of the most difficult disciplines to practice. Naturally, we find it easier to assert and project ourselves, often at the expense of others. We can learn a great lesson on this from John the Baptist.
He understood the principle of self-denial, and he practised it to the full. In John’s Gospel chapter 3, speaking about the Christ, he says:-"The One Who comes from above is above all. He must become greater than I, and I must become less". This position of humility before the Master is one which every disciple must assume.
In looking at the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect example for His followers, Paul, that great bond-servant of his master, says in his Letter to the Philippians chapter 2 verses 4 and 5:-"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude (or mind) should be the same as that of Christ Jesus".
This passage of Scripture, which speaks about the wonderful humility of God’s Son, is one that every disciple of His should read. It is one that you should use regularly as a ‘blueprint’ or plan for your Christian life. Paul writes about the Lord Jesus, "Making himself nothing - taking the position of a servant - humbling Himself, and becoming obedient to death." No wonder the passage goes on to say:- "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the Name that is above every Name." We serve as Christian disciples a truly wonderful Saviour and Lord!
So, we’ve discovered that in His charter of discipleship, the Lord Jesus Christ calls for decision and discipline.