“And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest of them, it has not been given.” (Matt 13:11; Lu 8:10)
Keep in mind here, they (His disciples) needed help understanding His word. Jesus had just finished preaching to multitudes of people who had gathered. What an opportunity to ‘get the word out’. Yet, He spoke in parables, which were captivating stories no doubt. But there was something hidden or woven in the stories that needed to be revealed by Him to…His disciples.
We see another incident in Luke 10 where He was with a group of 70 of His ‘babes’ as He refers to them in vs. 21. And He takes a moment to thank His Father for ‘revealing these truths to the babes’ while ‘hiding these things/truths from the wise and the prudent’.
Let that one sink in.
One would think God would want everyone to see these truths. So why ‘hide’ them? And if He has chosen to do it this way, only revealing these truths to those who have been ‘brought in to this inner circle’ if I can use that term, is there anyone else out there besides me who wants to know how to ‘get in’ on that circle of followers where Jesus is obviously opening up spiritual eyes and hearts to see truth that are hidden to those on the ‘outside’?
I realize that kind of talk might make some folks a tad uneasy, but it’s right there in front of us…as I just cited several passages. (Matt 13:16-17)
He makes these things known to his disciples.
A disciple is a follower. We most commonly associate that with those who ‘follow’ Jesus. They don’t just stand there and say “Yes, I believe”, they…follow. Jesus asked one time: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do the things I say?” (Lu 6:46)
He specifically tells us in Matt. 7:21 that it’s NOT the people who ‘say Lord, Lord, that enter the Kingdom of heaven but rather those who Do the will of my Father”.
We are told that Jesus became the ‘author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him.” (Heb 5:9)
James warns us of a common problem where one can be easily deceived if he is simply a ‘hearer of the word, and not a Doer of the word.” (1:22)
How does one become a follower or disciple of Jesus? They come to Him with all their hearts. And as offensive as this might sound, it’s not some automatic entrance simply because one utters a prayer or phrase. If you suggest in any way that you have ‘given your heart to Him’, He will test that. Make no mistake about it. He knows our hearts, and He will test them. Guaranteed. He has this thing about separating sheep and goats. (Matt 25)
The rich young ruler found out real quick that he did not have what it took to be a disciple. He was unwilling to come to Jesus with ALL his heart. (Matt 19; Mark 10)
It can come across as an exclusive club in some ways. Jesus goes as far to suggest…no, He just says outright: “Whoever loves his family more than Me is not worthy of Me…and he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt 10:34-39)
Is it any wonder that just when Jesus could build up His ‘church attendance’ that He would go off with hard talk like that and folks would throw the towel in and no longer follow Him. (John 6:66). As hard sounding as some of the things He said were, He really does know what He is doing here.
Remember His mother’s short but powerful sermon to those servants at the wedding in Cana that needed wine and needed it quickly? “Whatever He says to you , do it!” (John 2:5)
Oh, and here’s an interesting expression found in Acts 6:7 as the church was growing quickly: “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Any word stand out to you there?
So a disciple or follower of Jesus is clearly being given insights to His word, by Him. I don’t think if you love the Lord, that you are going to be satisfied with just religious instruction and historical context and information found in the bible to anyone who picks it up to read. I would think you would be hungering for more…that hidden manna’ that He seems ready to given and share with His disciples.
So what is the mark of a disciple?
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35). And not just ‘good ‘ole boy’ kind of love that we all are familiar with. But Jesus specified when He made it clear in the preceding verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, so you also you will love one another.”
He repeats again in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” You might skip over and read 1 Cor. 13:1-7 for an accurate description to what that ‘God kind of love’ looks like.
You know, it really is easy to say we love God with all our hearts and souls. Everyone loves Jesus, right? And Jesus says that IF…we love Him, we will do what? – Keep His commands. (John 14:15)
Here’s a great promise if you read down a few more verse: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (21)
Manifest means to ‘able to be seen, clearly shown or made visible’.
If you are a fan/student of Revelation (last book of bible) look up real quick 12:17 & 14:12. What identifying mark is mentioned as to who the real saints or followers are and what do they do? No…really…go look that up and make note of it.
And since you are close, why not end your time this morning and read aloud 1 John 2:3-6.
You might see a theme here. ;-)
One final note here today for clarification. - One who has turned to Jesus with all their heart, does not go about their day consumed with ‘keeping a bunch of commandments’. On the contrary, you are just consumed with abiding in and with Him…with a deepening awareness of His presence as He abides with you. “Lo, I am with you always.” (Matt 28:20)
In fact Paul made an interesting observation regarding the Gentiles who were coming to the Lord…he writes to the Romans saying “It is not the hearers of the law who are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature (or instinctively) DO the things in the law, these, having not the law…show the work of the law has been written in their hearts.” (2:13-15)
When Jesus has our hearts…He is guiding us to fulfill the law, which is loving God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. (Rom 8:4)
Be blessed today. He’s really trying to wake us up…lots happening and He wants to make His followers aware. (Daniel 12:10)
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