The Would Be Disciples

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I recently visited a sweet church member, Helen Little, from my days at Horne Memorial. She is always a joy to spend time with and on this visit she gave me a couple of old newsletters from my days at Horne. The text that follows is from the article “The ‘Would-be Disciples’” that was run in the church’s newsletter The Methodist Messenger.

Jesus had his twelve disciples. Actually, he had many more disciples, but there were the Twelve. They were the closest to Jesus. Sometimes they were called Apostles. There were other disciples. We know that 70 were sent out two by two to prepare the way for the coming of the Teacher. We also know that many women went about with Jesus. I imagine that it seemed to be quite a caravan whenever Jesus moved on to another town. It is no wonder he craved time to be alone with the Twelve or to be by himself.

Sadly, there were the others - the “Would-be Disciples”. Jesus called many people to follow him. These were people who said they wanted to be disciples but were unwilling to count the cost. They want to serve on their own terms. They wanted to make the rules. They want to be a disciple when it was convenient. Unfortunately, they were not chosen. Jesus said, “many are called, but few are chosen”. They couldn’t be chosen. They had too many other things to do to be disciples. They were too busy to be disciples. They thought that worldly matters had to consume all their time and effort. How could they fit Jesus in? We see the biblical picture of person after person, walking away dejected.

Jesus is still calling people to be his disciples. Many of us hear his call, “Follow me”. What is our response? What do we say to Jesus? Are we too busy? Have we allowed many worldly concerns to press us down? Do we hear the glad call of Jesus only to be disappointed because we cannot respond?

Jesus is calling you. We said we would follow. We said that we would be faithful in the use of our time, our talents, our prayers, and our money. Is this a commitment we keep when it is easy or convenient for us to keep? Or is this a commitment we keep 24/7? Jesus is calling you. Do you hear him?

When we enter a new year, we often think about “New Year’s resolutions” or changes that will make us better people. Perhaps we can commit to just one thing: striving to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Learning to trust him and to be obedient to him in all things, great and small. Perhaps this year we will allow ourselves to be open to his call and to the grace he so freely bestows. Perhaps this year we can move further from the “would-be disciple” to the committed disciple. Jesus is calling you. Do you hear him?

Questions for Reflection and Action

  • What distractions or competing priorities have made it difficult for me to respond fully to Jesus' call to follow him?
  • In what area of my life is Christ inviting me to greater trust and obedience?
  • What is one practical step I can take this week to grow as a more faithful disciple?

Prayer
Gracious Lord, I hear your call to follow you, and I desire to respond with faithfulness. Forgive me for the times I have allowed other concerns to crowd out my devotion to you. Teach me to trust you more fully and to obey you in the ordinary moments as well as the difficult ones. Help me to use my time, talents, prayers, and resources in ways that honor you. By your grace, shape me into a committed disciple who follows you with joy and perseverance. Keep my heart open to your voice and lead me ever closer to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

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