Are You a Follower, a Christian or a Disciple?

Text: Luke.9.18-27

Riddles have always been brainteasers that get people thinking. Have a go at this one.

Question: What is black, white and red all over?

Answer: Newspaper (Read, not red, sorry!)

Jesus too asked a question in Luke.9.18. ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ The answer given by the disciples is fascinating. ‘Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah and others say one of the old prophets have risen again’ was their reply (√.19)

It is clear, they do not know who Jesus really is. So He asks those who were His students or disciples.

‘But who do YOU say I am’ (emphasis mine)

Peter’s answer in Luke.9.20, and amplified in Matt.16.17 is a revelation. ‘You are Christ the Son of the living God’

Everyone will have to answer this question at some point. The earlier the better. Who is Jesus to you? Why is this question so important?

It is because people follow for a reason. The crowd followed Jesus because some felt He was John the Baptist, Elijah or some OT prophet who would solve problems and tell the future.

In Matthew chapter 4 from verse 24, we are told that crowds followed Him because He healed the sick, demon possessed, epileptic and paralytic people. They came from all over Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea and beyond Jordan (√.25)

So we know one reason people followed Him. They wanted healing. Jesus could heal. So they came to him. (Truth is everyone wants something)

Just like anyone would go to any doctor or Consultant.

However, once you see your doctor and consultant, you go back home and continue living your life the way you want until you become sick and need the doctor again. Then you make an appointment and go to see him.

However, though He heals, Jesus is not a doctor to be consulted when you need healing or some miracle. He wants people who will be just like Him. (Rom.8.29, 1John.3.2)

Peter’s answer (in Matt.16.17) however goes beyond the issue of healing. He recognises Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This is the reason Peter followed and then became a disciple.

However, Jesus does not mince words. He told them all categorically that to be a disciple is not bread and butter

Look at Luke.9.23 ‘To become Jesus’ disciple you must do 3 things

1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow Jesus

We will look at these 3 over the next few weeks. Meanwhile is there any difference between a Christian and a Disciple?

The first step to be a Disciple is becoming a Christian.

 A Christian is someone who has placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John.1.12). A Christian is born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, (John.3.3). A Christian ‘belongs to Christ’ and is daily being transformed into the likeness of Christ. (2Cor.3.18).

However, Jesus used the term disciple but never ‘Christian’. Why?

Not all of Jesus’ followers (or Christians) were able to make such a commitment. There were many who left Jesus after a while. (John.6.6)

A true Christian (and not one in name only) will have to be a disciple of Christ as well. A disciple is a Christian who has counted the cost and has totally committed their life to following Jesus.

They accept the call to sacrifice and follow wherever the Lord leads. The Christian disciple completely adheres to the teaching of Jesus, makes Christ his number-one priority, and lives accordingly. He is actively involved in making other Christian disciples.

Q? : What are you? Follower, Christian or Disciple?

Next Week: Denying Yourself