What the Bible says about Disciples, Role of
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Jesus takes the opportunity of this miracle to call His disciples into a Teacher - student relationship with Him. He figuratively catches Peter in His net before commanding him to "catch men" for the Kingdom of God. Immediately, Peter, Andrew, James, and John leave their boats and nets behind and follow Him. They now understand that Jesus is more than capable of supplying their every need.
We are to apply this lesson in our own lives. When Christ speaks, it is always about obedience to God's way of life. In this case, His teaching affected the disciples' livelihoods. Worship and work form major parts of our lives, too, and in both we must consistently maintain righteousness.
Had Peter failed to obey Christ's command, he would have failed to experience both the miracle and the resulting blessing. No one serves God without being compensated for his service. When we serve, sacrifice, testify, or stand for Him, He will suitably reward our efforts. When God asks us to invest our time, effort, talent, or anything else, we must not resent the opportunity. No one pays dividends on an investment as abundantly as God does - "good measure, pressed down, and running over will be put into your bosom" (Luke 6:38).
Martin G. Collins
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: The Great Catch of FishRelated Topics: Blessing | Blessings | Disciple | Disciples, Making | Disciples, Role of | Disciples, The | Discipleship | Discipleship, Cost of | Dragging imagery | Fish as Metaphor | Fishers of Men | Jesus Christ's Miracles | Miracles | Miracles and Faith | Miracles of Jesus Christ | Obedience | Obeying | Sacrifice | Sacrificial Attitude | Sacrificial Giving
Jesus says that exhortations to "watch" apply to everyone (Mark 13:35-37). In this case, the parable that follows shows that the apostles have a special responsibility. In it, the steward in charge of the servants is a servant himself, teaching the importance of faithfulness in doing the will of the master (I Corinthians 4:2). Not only does Jesus teach the certainty of His return at an unexpected moment, but he also implies that the church - His disciples - would continue serving God for an unspecified time until His return. As He says, "Blessed is the servant whom His Lord will find so doing when He comes."
Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Faithful and Evil ServantsRelated Topics: Apostle | Apostle, Function of | Disciple | Disciples, Role of | Faithfulness | Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants | Responsibility, Sense of | Vigilance | Watch and Pray Always | Watchfulness | Watching | Watchman
Undertaking discipleship involves the entirety of a person's life - all the time, everywhere. It is the issue in the Bible: whether we will show by our lives that we are loyal to the Kingdom of God.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Revelation 2-3 and Works
Abide means "to continue in" or "to remain in." Thus, "If you remain or continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed." A disciple is a learner. Jesus is telling us that a person who merely begins walking down the road of Christianity is not really a disciple. A true disciple is one who not only begins but also continues on the way and abides in it.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Awesome Cost of SalvationRelated Topics: Abiding in Christ | Abiding in God | Abiding in God's Word | Disciple | Disciples, Role of | Disciples, The | Discipleship | Discipleship, Cost of
He says a similar thing in John 18:37: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." Those who hear the voice of Christ, those who hear His truth, will then submit to it. That is what will separate them from the world.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Truth (Part 1)Related Topics: Abiding in Christ | Abiding in God | Abiding in God's Word | Disciple | Disciples, Role of | Disciples, The | Discipleship | Discipleship, Cost of | Hearing God's Word | Hearing the Gospel | Submission to God | Submission to God's Will | Truth | Truth, Love of | Truth, Seeking | Truth, Struggle for
A disciple is one who, during his lifetime, is continuously loyal to God and in the position of a student, of a junior member of the family, being prepared for the Kingdom of God.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Revelation 2-3 and WorksRelated Topics: Disciple | Disciples, Role of | Preparation for Future Role | Preparation for Rulership | Student Analogy | Student, Role of