This post is the first in a series of studies about “Followers of Jesus”.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Followers of Jesus – Day 1

Many people had followed Jesus around, drawn by His teaching, and hoping to be healed or to see other people healed. Then He chose The Twelve to follow Him in a much closer sense of the word. Not just to go around with Him, but to do what He did.

Matthew 10:1

Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

The Thought

A very well known verse to start this study.

If you have been a believer for any length of time you will have heard a message on this verse. It begins what I often refer to as “the first disciples’ training school”. In the next verse Jesus named His “inner circle” asking those twelve who are named there (Matthew 10:2) to give up everything to follow Him. He then gave them this command and sent them out with very few instructions about what to do and how to conduct themselves.

Many people had followed Jesus around, drawn by His teaching, and hoping to be healed or to see other people healed. They usually received what they wanted.

Then He chose “The Twelve” to follow Him in a much closer sense of the word. Not just to go around with Him, but to do what He did. He trained them to cope in the future when He would no longer be there.

They had become His apprentices.

Interestingly in Luke’s version of this event Jesus, calls the twelve out of many disciples, and these twelve He called apostles (Luke 6:13).

Jesus has never changed His mind. If we consider ourselves His followers, then He is sending us out too. To follow in His footsteps, do what He did, and live as He lived. Trusting Heavenly Father.

Action

Ask yourself today how much of your life copies that of Jesus; trusting Heavenly Father, and telling others about Him.

Thank Jesus for all He has taught you to this point, but recognise that there is always more. His Word is full of surprises and encouragements.

Read Matthew 10 today and pray that Jesus will show you what is to be important for you.