When Jesus announced His Kingdom He began to select a group of men and women who would follow Him by pursuing the example He had shown them and the Words from His Father He had communicated. This included a number of things reflected in the amazing display of “God coming near” (Immanuel) to save humanity from futility (our lives counting for nothing) and judgment for falling short of the image we were created to honor and multiply within each of our lives. Here are some of the threads Jesus taught in the word and works of His hands:
√ Integrating what they knew or did not know about connectivity with Creator God. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) Jesus spent much time explaining what knowing and pleasing the Father looked like.
√ Facing who Jesus was with humility, honor, and resolve. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6,7) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) We are God’s kingdom seeds in the world.
√ Embracing the same “why” He was tasked with when sent to earth by His Father. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:13-14)
√ Leaving our “nets” and choosing to follow Him. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-22) There is so much which captures our attention and imagination in a life time. Fishing for men really should be very prominent.
√ Engaging in the hard work of the Kingdom. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore fervently ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38) “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Paul in Acts 20:34-35) Jesus calls this putting our hand to the plow: But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:22
√ Persevering faithfully (though imperfectly) to the end. “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16) This is all about value. If we VALUE Who He IS and what He has DONE for us, we will honor Him over and over.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
√ Looking forward to the reward His Father holds for all who serve Him in word and deed. Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” (Matthew 19:27-30)
There have been many great things written about what it means to engage as a disciple of the Kingdom. We began to sort through these things years ago and landed on what we call “Engage Training.” We have taken the teachings of Jesus and the encounters and experiences of His disciples and contemplated them organically and systematically to provide an approach to being a “scribe” of the Kingdom. This allows one to participate in the work and glory of God, and most of all to hear the words “well done.”
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23
Jesus invites us into what He and His Father are doing. So cool. John 5:17: But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” (John 5:1-47 deserves to be read and absorbed concerning His words in John 5)
Time invested in working through the Engage Training course will reap huge benefits in the days ahead! Here is the link: 25 conversations about becoming and living as a disciple of the Kingdom.
If you wish to discuss this and tailor your own plan, reach out at [email protected]. Peace upon your heart and soul!
Dave and Burnadette