Tuesday’s post was about Jesus’ invitation to side with his life-party. This is not a raise-your-hand, say-a-prayer, or sign-a-card decision made without careful consideration, but a total, lifelong commitment regardless of the consequences.
To grasp the enormity of this, contemplate the verses where these phrases appears in the Amplified version of the Bible:
…became His disciples [sided with His party and followed Him] (Matthew 4:20).
…joined Jesus as disciples [sided with His party and followed Him] (Matthew 4:22).
“Be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me],” (Matthew 9:9).
“…be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me]” (Matthew 19:21).
…become Your disciples [sided with Your party and followed You] (Matthew 19:27).
“…you who have [become My disciples, sided with My party and] followed Me,” (Matthew 19:28).
…followed [with] Him [joining Him as disciples and siding with His party] (Mark 1:18).
…went off after Him [to be His disciples, side with His party, and follow Him] (Mark 1:20).
Follow Me! [Be joined to Me as a disciple, side with My party!] (Mark 2:14).
…take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me (Mark 8:34).
“…we have yielded up and abandoned everything [once and for all and joined You as Your disciples, siding with Your party],” (Mark 10:28).
…they left everything and joined Him as His disciples and sided with His party and accompanied Him (Luke 5:11).
“Join Me as a disciple and side with My party and accompany Me” (Luke 5:27).
And he forsook everything and got up and followed Him [becoming His disciple and siding with His party] (Luke 5:28).
“Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me!” (Luke 9:59).
“I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party,” (Luke 9:61).
“…follow Me [become My disciple, join My party, and accompany Me],” (Luke 18:22).
…many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] (John 2:23).
This is what it means to follow Jesus.
[Biblical references to Jesus’ party (and a few others, too)]
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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