students of jesus

Becoming a follower of Jesus requires at least three transformations: we must be born from above; we must acquire his character; and we must imitate his works. Most believers North America have a grasp on the first, a hope of the second, and almost no concept of the third.

Jesus had a high view of his followers. He believed in them more than they believed in themselves. He gave them extravagant assignments during their three years together on earth. And as Jesus prepared to leave, he charged his disciples with the impossible:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14: 12-14)

The first disciples were up to the task because they found themselves transformed by the new birth. Heaven’s DNA had altered their very being. They were in fact a new creation. As a result they demonstrated the character of Christ to a degree not possible by their own good intentions or human effort. The history of the early church is filled with descriptions of ordinary people who declared the message of the Kingdom of God (as Jesus had done) and demonstrated the coming of that Kingdom with powerful actions (as Jesus had done).

In the centuries which followed the people of God have sometimes changed the task into something attainable by human effort. But the Kingdom of God does not come through human effort, it comes from the in-breaking of heaven upon our spirits, our hearts, our very actions. Every generation should wrestle with the challenge Jesus left us. The first disciples were up to the task. In our day we have trouble understanding the task all.

Our meditation for the week should be the goal of our life in Christ: Lord, transform me not only once, but three times.