Disciples & Crowds

From Matthew 5:1-12

The text begins by letting us know that Jesus was teaching His disciples specifically, not the crowd. These disciples would be the ones to teach others to obey Jesus' commands. They would teach others what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. They are those who respond to the call to repent (i.e., turn from sin & self-righteousness), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). They have been brought into a right relationship with God. As such, we can see that disciples are both born and made. They are first born, then made.

They are born from above (e.g., John 3:3). This is a work of God for which no disciple can take credit. This work is possible because of the life and work of Jesus. Being born from above positions a disciple in Christ. This position makes disciples different from the crowds. From this position flows their motivation and devotion to live as disciples.

They are made as they follow Christ (e.g., Matthew 4:19). Their position therefore motivates their practice, not the other way around. That is, they do because they are. They don't do to become. Therefore, they will, by their practice, bear the name of Jesus. This means they will live for the cause of Jesus alone. They won't do so perfectly. However, as they come to know who and whose they are their devotion to Jesus will grow.

The crowds are different. The crowds are motivated by self-interests. The crowds want the experience without commitment. The crowds desire to go along, but not follow. The crowds draw near because of intrigue, but not for transformation. The crowds are easy to identify. Yet, Jesus did not turn the crowds away or refuse to minister to them. Some in the crowds did come to repentance and faith. By the time of Jesus' ascension we know there were 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). Three thousand were added on Pentecost (Acts 2:41). After that more and more people became and continue to become disciples.

Interestingly enough, there was among the twelve disciples one whose motivation was similar to that of the crowds. He chose to betray Jesus for his own selfish motivation (John 13:21-30). It seems that one can be among the disciples and not be a true disciple. Unlike the crowd, a false disciple is not easy to identify. Such disciples are full of man-made religion. This is true by choice or by deception. They appear to be born from above, but are not. Following man-made religion deceives people into thinking they are right with God. Such people are depending on their own works and self-righteousness to be right with God. They obey the scriptures and do all the right things with the hope to attain salvation. Their motivation is all wrong, but sadly they can't or refuse to see it. A false disciple is still part of the crowds. It's just that they don't see or believe it.

In contrast, true disciples (i.e., those born from above) are motivated by God's love and holiness in Jesus. His love is undeserved, unconditional, steadfast, sure, faithful. His holiness is transcendent, absolutely pure and separate above all creation, gloriously beautiful and awesome. True disciples are repentant in the truth of God's holiness and confident in the grace of God's love. They will be committed to obeying and teaching people to obey Jesus' commands. They obey, not to gain righteousness to be in Christ, but to practice the righteousness that's theirs in Christ. They teach, not to gain favor with God, but to proclaim the love & holiness of God in the face of Jesus. They trust that God will use their obedience and proclamation as a light to those in the crowds and to the false disciples. They pray for the crowd and false disciples to come to repentance and faith in Christ, just as they have come. True disciples, because they are in Christ, are motivated by their position to grow in their practice of God's love and holiness. Are you a true disciple?

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the truth that disciples of Christ are born from above. You call and bring people to repentance and faith in Christ, and they obey. Thank You for the truth that disciples of Christ are made. They follow Christ and grow to be conformed to His image and likeness. Use the lives of disciples of Christ, their obedience and proclamation, to bring the crowds and false disciples to repentance and faith in Christ all across this world. Amen!