By Francis Frangipane
Before we doubt whether we are
the caliber of the first disciples, here is a fact sheet compiled from
over 200 New Testament Scriptures concerning those whom Jesus first
called.
THE DISCIPLES... came to Christ, believed in Him, followed Him.
They...
dined with Him, often became hungry, often didn't have time to eat, twice fed the multitudes.
They...
received
special authority to heal and deliver, became Jesus' confidants, were
often rebuked and corrected, were entrusted with the mysteries of God's
Kingdom.
They...
did
what was not lawful on the Sabbath, broke the traditions of the elders,
entered the Kingdom of God and walked in God's power.
They...
were
frightened, fell on their faces, were much afraid, were very
astonished, they marveled, they were indignant and they rejoiced.
They...
became
weary on a number of occasions, grumbled and withdrew, some stopped
walking with Jesus; even after the resurrection some still doubted, they
wrote the New Testament and died for their faith.
They...
were
taught to pray for the Kingdom to come and for laborers for the
harvest, yet slept while Jesus prayed; they spent ten days in continuous
prayer before Pentecost, and prayed corporately every day afterward at
3:00 p.m..
They...
forgot provisions,
made commitments they could not keep, individuals begged them to heal
people they could not heal, they attempted to exorcise demons that would
not leave, they rebuked parents bringing children to be blessed,
abandoned Jesus in His deepest need, they were frequently jealous and
ambitious, and they turned the world upside down after the resurrection.
They...
had a tendency to invent
doctrines, tried to command fire to fall on the Samaritans, put a limit
on how many times to forgive, presumed John would not die, wanted to
build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, became the tabernacle of
God on earth after Pentecost.
They...
prepared
cities for the arrival of Jesus, prepared the Passover for the last
supper, and were prepared by God to represent Christ; ultimately, they
were prepared to die for the Lord.
They...
remembered
what Jesus taught, received the great commission, faced terrible
opposition from principalities and powers, Jews and Gentiles, yet they
made disciples of all nations.
Let us read the words
of Christ as though we were sitting as Jesus’ feet learning. What did
Jesus say concerning love, spiritual authority, or the power of faith?
It is time to not be overwhelmed by our flaws and weaknesses. Rather,
let us obey all Jesus taught and be transformed by the power of the Holy
Spirit, even as His first disciples were.
