The process of becoming a disciple

The disciples of Jesus went through several learning processes as they accepted the invitation and the call to become part of a select group of individuals who would carry out the mission of spreading the gospel message to the world as they knew it.  They first were followers, then trained to become fishers of men and finally menders of broken lives.

The Call to leave all was the first step in becoming one of Jesus’ disciples. His cause was more important than any job that they currently had or would have in the future.  Jesus was inviting them to follow him.  His invitation meant that:

                He would take care of their needs

                He would guide them

                He would teach them his ways of ministry

The followers were given a new identity: They would become disciples of Jesus

Along with a new identity came a new purpose: They would become fishers of men, healers of broken lives

Jesus was their model, they were to learn from him and follow his example of ministry.

Capernaum Ministry

Mar 1:21  And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

Mar 1:22  And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mar 1:23  And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

Mar 1:24  "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God."

Mar 1:25  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"

Mar 1:26  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mar 1:27  And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

Mar 1:28  And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

What did the disciple learn from this experience?

1.        His teaching different, he taught with authority.  The scribes just quoted the teaching of the rabbi’s.  Jesus’ teaching was fresh, new perspective, truth

a.       Our teaching should be from revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  We should preach what we practice as well as practice what we preach.

b.      People hunger for truth that is spoken with authority and conviction.

2.       His supernatural power over unclean spirits. 

a.       The person with the unclean spirit was in the synagogue.  Unexpected place?

b.      The demons recognized his true identity and his mission: Son of God, He came to destroy the works of the devil and his demonic forces.  The scribes and Pharisees did not believe what the demons recognized as truth.

c.       As Christ’s disciples we have been given authority over the demonic realm through the name of Jesus.

Peter’s Mother in law

Mar 1:29  And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mar 1:30  Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

Mar 1:31  And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

What did the disciples learn?

1.        Jesus had compassion for the sick, he cared for his disciples family members.

2.       Jesus had power over sickness

3.       Jesus allowed Peter’s mother in law to serve them.  He allow her to honor him through her hospitality. Refusing hospitality was offensive to the person offering it.

4.       As Christ’s disciples we have authority over sickness and disease.  The power of God was released in Jesus without him saying anything.

The ministry to the people

Mar 1:32  That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

Mar 1:33  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

Mar 1:34  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

What the disciples learned

1.        Jesus was not bound by time.  It was late, getting dark and he took the time to heal the sick and deliver the demonized people.

2.       He had compassion for the people and the power to set them free.  He did not refuse to minister to them.

3.       We have to have the same compassion Jesus had for people and be willing to extend ourselves to minister to them. 

Jesus’ prayer life

Mar 1:35  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mar 1:36  And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,

Mar 1:37  and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."

We do not know how long Jesus spent healing the sick and delivering the demonized the night before.  It may have been a short night of sleep for him but he got up early to pray.

What did the disciples learn?

1.        The demands of the people or the influence of crowds did not keep Jesus from his time of prayer.  The connection with his Father was more important than his ministry to the people. 

2.       Ministry is a 24/7 job.  You can always find something more that needs to be done and if we are not careful our personal time with God can quickly be consumed by other things even good things.

3.       Martin Luther stated that he had so much work to do that he had to spend several hours in prayer before doing the work.  We often reverse this by cutting short our time of prayer because of all the activities we have planned.

4.       Our first ministry must always be to God.  Spending time with him daily in prayer and in his word are non-negotiables for disciples.  We have to set aside the time, it must become a discipline.

Jesus continues his mission

Mar 1:38  And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."

Mar 1:39  And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mar 1:40  And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mar 1:41  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Mar 1:42  And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Mar 1:43  And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,

Mar 1:44  and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them."

Mar 1:45  But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mar 1:38  And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."

Mar 1:39  And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mar 1:40  And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

Mar 1:41  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Mar 1:42  And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Mar 1:43  And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,

Mar 1:44  and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them."

Mar 1:45  But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

What did the disciples learn?

1.       Jesus stayed focused on his calling to preach the good news of the Kingdom.  The crowds were coming to him but he wanted to visit all the towns and not be contained in one area.

2.       He went to the synagogues where he would have a more receptive audience.  He knew where the fish were located and that is where he went.

3.       The laws regarding treatment of lepers did not apply to Jesus.  He touched the untouchables and brought healing to them.  Lepers had to stay away from the people, ring a bell and announce in a loud voice their condition.

4.       No one is untouchable or unreachable.

The disciples were on a fast track of learning from Jesus.  It had to be exciting to be with him to see all the miracles and listen to his teachings.  Jesus was modeling ministry and it would not be long until they would have their opportunity to replicate his ministry. 

We see in Jesus:

1.       An anointed teacher who taught with authority

2.       His power over demonic forces.

3.       His power over sickness and disease

4.       His compassion for people in need and willingness to minister to them at an inconvenient time.

5.       His time with God was a priority, more than ministry

6.       He stayed focused on what he was called to to.

7.       He knew where the fish were located and made it a practice to go there.

8.       No one was untouchable or unreachable.  He had compassion for all people in spite of their conditions.