In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus lays the spiritual foundation by giving examples relating to His disciples. Repeatedly you see His desire to pour himself out in any way to fill the needs of not only the 12 men that adored Him, but also the multitudes of people that searched Him out.
As He walked about the many cities, Jesus portrayed servant hood to His disciples as He tended to the needs of His people. From healing the sick, the blind, and those with leprosy, to feeding the hungry and casting out demons, He sought the needs of others over Himself to the point of death. By serving those He loved, He also showed compassion, kindness, and concern. Mark 10:13a and 16 illustrates this well, "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them...And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
Jesus gave numerous parables that scatter throughout the book of Mark. While teaching the multitudes, Jesus used parables as the disciples sat near and listened to their importance. When the multitudes did not understand the message of one on these parables, He graciously explained the meaning, for example the parable of the sower found in Mark 4:13-20. Not only did He teach using parables, He also taught using Scripture as well, which formed the foundation in all His teachings.
Jesus also invested His time in teaching His disciples, whether He called them unto Himself privately or if Hi taught them openly. He desired for them to learn, to know His principles, and the written Word. As a result, Jesus used each moment as a teachable moment.
Jesus understood the importance of time as He went about each day. Knowing His earthly ministry would end shortly, He discipled Himself to make the best use of His time by continuing to teach, heal and fulfill the many needs of those He met. Because the disciples followed Him, they, too, understood the importance of time.
Since Jesus spent the majority of His time with His disciples, He led by example and not by His word only. "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 Because Jesus led by example, He had an immense influence upon the disciples.
Furthermore, He modeled His relationship with His Father before them when He frequently went up into a mountain to pray. Consider the time when He knew that His hour approached that He should give His life, "...My soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Mark 14:34-35 His relationship with His Father was priority. As a result, His testimony stayed with His disciples as an encouragement.
Jesus chose His disciples, and ordained them that they should go out and teach, (Mark 3:13-19) therefore, clearly demonstrating His understanding of the principles of discipleship. When you invest your time in one or many persons, they in turn will invest in one or many persons. As a pebble drops into a lake, creating the ripples that move throughout the water, so too will a discipleship create the ripples of influence that pass forth and bear fruit.
O how perfect the model of Christ! As I disciple those given to me by the Lord, I desire to mirror Christ's image. Instead of teaching all the time, God challenges me to lead by example. I desire to walk out my faith before those watching so that they may, in turn, take it as a testimony in their lives. Just as Jesus portrayed servant hood by looking beyond His needs to the needs of others, I too must die to self and my desires and search out the needs of those placed in my path. I must also invest time in teaching whom I disciple and build God's written Word as my foundation. As God allows me to place my touch of discipleship on others, I aspire to leave a ripple of influence just as a pebble leaves a ripple upon the water.
Happy Easter to all that read this! May the reminder of God's ultimate price for our lives fill your hearts and minds as you celebrate Christ's resurrection!
As He walked about the many cities, Jesus portrayed servant hood to His disciples as He tended to the needs of His people. From healing the sick, the blind, and those with leprosy, to feeding the hungry and casting out demons, He sought the needs of others over Himself to the point of death. By serving those He loved, He also showed compassion, kindness, and concern. Mark 10:13a and 16 illustrates this well, "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them...And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
Jesus gave numerous parables that scatter throughout the book of Mark. While teaching the multitudes, Jesus used parables as the disciples sat near and listened to their importance. When the multitudes did not understand the message of one on these parables, He graciously explained the meaning, for example the parable of the sower found in Mark 4:13-20. Not only did He teach using parables, He also taught using Scripture as well, which formed the foundation in all His teachings.
Jesus also invested His time in teaching His disciples, whether He called them unto Himself privately or if Hi taught them openly. He desired for them to learn, to know His principles, and the written Word. As a result, Jesus used each moment as a teachable moment.
Jesus understood the importance of time as He went about each day. Knowing His earthly ministry would end shortly, He discipled Himself to make the best use of His time by continuing to teach, heal and fulfill the many needs of those He met. Because the disciples followed Him, they, too, understood the importance of time.
Since Jesus spent the majority of His time with His disciples, He led by example and not by His word only. "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 Because Jesus led by example, He had an immense influence upon the disciples.
Furthermore, He modeled His relationship with His Father before them when He frequently went up into a mountain to pray. Consider the time when He knew that His hour approached that He should give His life, "...My soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Mark 14:34-35 His relationship with His Father was priority. As a result, His testimony stayed with His disciples as an encouragement.
Jesus chose His disciples, and ordained them that they should go out and teach, (Mark 3:13-19) therefore, clearly demonstrating His understanding of the principles of discipleship. When you invest your time in one or many persons, they in turn will invest in one or many persons. As a pebble drops into a lake, creating the ripples that move throughout the water, so too will a discipleship create the ripples of influence that pass forth and bear fruit.
O how perfect the model of Christ! As I disciple those given to me by the Lord, I desire to mirror Christ's image. Instead of teaching all the time, God challenges me to lead by example. I desire to walk out my faith before those watching so that they may, in turn, take it as a testimony in their lives. Just as Jesus portrayed servant hood by looking beyond His needs to the needs of others, I too must die to self and my desires and search out the needs of those placed in my path. I must also invest time in teaching whom I disciple and build God's written Word as my foundation. As God allows me to place my touch of discipleship on others, I aspire to leave a ripple of influence just as a pebble leaves a ripple upon the water.
Happy Easter to all that read this! May the reminder of God's ultimate price for our lives fill your hearts and minds as you celebrate Christ's resurrection!
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