SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 4:10 (NIV); Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So
they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him.
Many of today’s professed “Christians” have deemed the word little more than a title, or a religious
classification. In reality, the word “Christian” simply means “follower of Christ”; a disciple.
First century disciples understood the meaning of the word. Being a disciple meant total
submission to the rabbi. The boy would take on the beliefs, opinions and even the mannerisms
of his rabbi. The rabbi’s word would be binding to the disciple, to be obeyed no matter what. The
disciple embraced the rabbi’s views and willingly gave up any of his own ideas that contradicted
the rabbi’s. The disciple trusted the rabbi’s interpretation of Scripture and of righteous living and
acted accordingly. This definition of the word and this rabbi-disciple relationship has not changed.
For those who truly desire to follow Christ, He is our rabbi and we are His disciples.
In our culture, men and women will go to great lengths to be the “best in the business”. The
aspirant surgeon pours over papers and plunges into practica for years before she stands at the
operating table. The professional golfer practices incessantly, his golf club becoming a third arm
before he makes it to the PGA. Yet when it comes to being a Christian, we think we can prop up
our feet and wait for salvation to fall into our lap. We expect our Christianity to thrive without much
effort. We assume that we can save our energies for personal passions, and Jesus will just “bless
us” in the process because we claim His name. But Christianity is discipleship; it is the disciples of
Luke 4, leaving everything for the sake of following Christ.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. How does this bit of information change your outlook on the meaning of being a Christian?
How does it compare to your definition from yesterday?
2. Are you willing to be a totally devoted disciple? Ask Jesus what it means for you to leave
everything for the sake of following Him.
3. How have you put other pursuits ahead of being a devoted disciple of Christ? Confess these
things and take time to refocus.
