DISCIPLESHIP (PART ONE)

John 6:3; 8:31; Matthew 5:1

WE have now come to chapter 6 of the Gospel according to St. John in our systematic and expository studies of the book of John. Today we are studying the above theme derived from John 6:3. The theme will be treated in a series of studies as we go through the chapters ahead of us until we have covered some appreciable ground on what DISCIPLESHIP is all about. Today, we are studying John 6:1-13.

“DISCIPLESHIP” means “learning of Him” to be like Him, as He Himself commanded (Matthew 11:29). The design for discipleship (the purpose of the disciple) is clear - to have REST FOR THE SOUL (Matthew 11:28-30). Peace or Rest of the soul is that invaluable thing that has eluded many souls, and consequently homes, communities, and nations. It cannot be purchased with money, or exchanged by barter with any other material possessions. Many have some “good” things of this life - name, position, houses, money, food, but CRISES or LACK OF PEACE has ruined the enjoyment of what they have. The lingering police/court cases, the broken homes, the shattered relationships in families/kindreds/communities, the diseases borne of pollution and sin and the enmity between one and the other have all joined together to wreck the souls of those affected or engaged in these things, bringing lack of peace to their lives.

It is in the light of the fore-going situation that we come to learn of Christ, so we can have rest for our souls. It is note-worthy that He said, “learn of Me” (Matthew 11:29); not “learn of me and some other”. It must also be realized that He meant learning to practice. It is they that thus learn of Him that are called disciples (John 8:31). They defy obstacles and follow Him to wherever He goes, sitting close at His feet (John 6:3; Matthew 5:1; Luke 8:35; 10:39).

1. HIS SONSHIP (Psalm 2:7; Luke 1:35; John 5:18-20; 10:36; Heb. 1:5)

THE beginning of learning of Him is learning of His Sonship. How did He become God’s Son? He was adopted (declared) the Son of God, although He had all along been the Word of God, personified (John 1:1; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 19:13). In like manner, we must be adopted into sonship (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4,5,6; Ephesians 1:4-5), although by nature, we are not sons (Ephesians 2:1-3,11-13; 1 Peter 2:10).

The adoption into sonship is the direct result of receiving the only begotten Son of God into one’s heart (John 1:12; Colossians 2:6). Receiving Him does not mean the mental acceptance of the head, but the heart-receipt of the simple and the babe. This is achieved through sincere/hearty pouring away of the filth of the heart (sin) that had precluded Him, and receiving (by faith) Him that paid the price of our salvation by His death on the cross (Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 and Acts 20:21).

This is the first aspect of learning of Him. If anyone does not have Him within, the one is not His, that is, not a son of God (consider Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:4; 5:12). The one CANNOT therefore learn of, follow, or copy His other areas of life.

2. HIS COMPANIONSHIP (John 6: 5-12)

JESUS was their Lord (John 13:13-14) but also a real companion to His disciples. He was not a lord over God’s heritage (consider 1 Peter 5:3; Mark 10:37; Luke 22:27). He knew what to do, yet He involved Philip and the other disciple (John 6:5-8). He could do without them, but He did what He did, (I) to fulfil the Word of God (Ecclesiastes. 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17); (ii) to assess and improve them (John 6:5-6); (iii) to honour them.

Leaders, family heads and all those in authority have somewhat to learn here. They should involve the chief disciples/elders under their authority to assess and improve them (John 6:5-6), honour them (John 6:5-6; Acts 10:7-8; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians. 1:1) and to gather useful ideas/information (Ecclesiastes. 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17), yet the decision is that of those in authority (John 6:6,10; 1 Timothy 1:2-4; Acts 15:6-20).

Conversely, the chief disciples/elders under authority, if they are disciples indeed, must be subject to the decisions of those in authority (John 6:10-11; Acts 15:6-20; 1 Timothy 1:2-4).

It is noteworthy that this situation does not justify the unscriptural “core-group”-run so-called Christian fellowships which is the brain-child of non-submissiveness. In such circles, every matter is tabled before the “core-group” for deliberation and decision possibly by voting or the like.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Jesus did not consult His disciples in every development before doing what was to be done (consider these few cases: John 7:1,14; 8:1-11; Matthew 21:23-27).

Those that are genuinely in authority, that is, leaders appointed by God readily receive instructions/directions from the Lord for their work/ministry (Exodus. 4:14-16; Numbers 12:5-8; 1 Kings 18:36b John 5:19-20, 30; 1 Corinthians. 2:16). Those under authority who are true disciples know this (compare John 6:68).

The point/emphasis therefore is companionship which makes, (i) for assessment and improvement of those under authority; (ii) for gathering of useful information; (iii) honouring one another and (iv) for harmonious co-existence.

3. LED OF THE SPIRIT (John 6:6, 10-11)

AS stated previously, the Lord, being a complete human being had His own mind, distinct from the mind of God (John 5:30; 7:17; Matthew26:39). But His personal mind was subject to the mind/will of the Father (Matthew 26:39; John 5:30; 7:17).

That He knew what He would do is a statement refering to His having been directed by the Holy Ghost that was residing in Him (John 6:6; compare Romans 8:14). It is the mind of God that God will materialise (consider 1 Kings. 17:1-15; 18:36-38; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14).

To readily know the mind of God, one’s mind would have been constantly exercised by the Word of God and prayer (Mark 1:35; 6:46-47; Luke 5:15,16; 6:12; Acts 6:4; 13:1-2). Also one would have put on quietness of the spirit (Isaiah 42:1-2; 1 Thessalonians. 4:11). Those who are always full of food and whose minds are pre-occupied with other things than prayer and the Word will always be at a loss as to what the mind of the Lord is, in any given situation.

The point/emphasis is: To be led of the Spirit into solutions and successful ministry/ living, the disciple’s heart must be exercised constantly by the Word and prayer, and he must have put on quietness of the spirit.

4. UNWASTING (John 6:12)

THE Lord is not wasteful. He did not waste words (Matthew 27:12-14; Mark 14:60-61; 15:4-5; Luke 23:8-9), power (physical and spiritual), time or talent. Rather, He lavished them in ministering to the needy, but recouped them while ministering to the Lord as well as when ministering to the needy.

But many believers waste all these on the mundane things of this life. As a result, they are at a loss when opportunities call for preaching, teaching, counselling, interceding, being in want of the Word, power and spirit. They worsen their case by not coming before God to be exercised by His word, prayer and be influenced by His presence (Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians. 3:18).

Further more, the Lord commanded the gathering of the left-over of the bread and fish because (i) they would be useful later; (ii) He was going to refer to it in future to correct their erroneous impression and boost their faith (Matthew 16:9-10).

Disciples therefore should have records of what God has done in their lives, or said to them, and of what He has done in the lives of others (Exodus. 13:3; Deuteronomy 5:15; 7:18; 32:7-8; 1 Chronicles 16:11-12; Psalm 105:4-5; Isaiah 43:17-18). These are faith - boosters in times of need/ trouble for self and for others. They are also faith-boosters for prospective disciples.

But some have misconstrued the preservation of the crumbs, hence they “preserve” all crumbs of bread in their bellies. What a pity! (consider Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 6:13; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Corinthians 8:8).

DISCIPLESHIP (PART II)

John 6:14-20

WE have come again to learn the Lord Jesus (as one learns a trade to practice it) for this is what Discipleship is all about (Matthew 11:29). In our first treatment of the above subject, we showed that it is only those who have been adopted into the sonship of God as Christ was (consider Psalm 2:7 and John 1:12; Colossians 2:6) that can actually learn of Him to be like Him. This is so because of the presence of the enabling indwelling Spirit that such have received (Romans 8:1, 3-6, 26). So far on the subject, we have learnt great lessons from the said Christ’s adoption into Sonship of God, His companionship (John 6:5-12); His being led of the Spirit of God (John 6:6,10-11) and His being unwasting (John 6:12). Today, we are learning Him through the revelation of our text, John 6:14-20.

1. STRICT ADHERENCE TO GOD’S WILL (John 6:14-15)

HE would not allow them to make Him a king. If they had succeeded in making Him a king, He would have run-off the programme/will of God. His physical kingship is yet to come at His 1000-year (millennial) reign on this earth (Revelation 20:4;11:15; Zechariah 14:9; Luke 1:32-33; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14,18,27). Also, if He allowed them, He would have attracted problems for Himself, seeing there was a king already in the kingdom in which He was living (compare Matthew 2:1-3). The Lord was such that the pleasure of God was His food (John 4:34; 8:29). Therefore He would not allow any, no matter how near or excited, or any thing to influence Him into disobeying/dishonouring God by running off the programme/will of God for His life (consider John 7:2-8; Luke 2:42-49).

As disciples of Christ, we must not allow people to influence us into disobeying, dishonouring or running off God’s programme for our lives (Exodus 23:2; Proverbs 1:10). But many have disobeyed/dishonoured, or run-off God’s programme for their lives through the influence of parents, wives, husbands, other relatives, masters, managers, or even those lower than them. Compromise (i.e. Giving-up some ground held before) is sin. Moses knew that God is wholesome and so His demands/commands should be carried out wholly, hence his uncompromising stand (consider Exodus 3:12 with 8: 25-28; 10:8-11,24-26). Balaam and Saul failed to realize this and suffered for it (Numbers 23:1-20,25-26; 1 Samuel 15:1-3,5-10).

Further, places do not change God’s stand on His Word or programme for anyone. If we move from one location to another, the standard of God does not change as thought by king Balak (consider Number 23:27; 24:1).

Like the Lord we must make haste to depart from the place/situation/someone that is about to bring us into loggerheads with our heavenly Father (John 6:15; 10:5; Genesis 39:12). To do this we must have been made-up to do nothing but the perfect will of God, and then been vigilant as to know that danger looms ahead (consider John 6:15 with 2 Corinthians 2:11 and 1 Peter 5:8).

2. LOVER OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (John 6:15-18).

WHEN the Lord departed, He did not depart into the mountain to sleep, but to commune with God in prayer. This was His life-style (John 8:2; Luke 6:12; Mark 1:35). He craved and went into the presence of God, for there, there is joy (Psalm 16:11). He also did so in obedience to the Scriptures (Psalm 95:2; 100:2; Luke 18:1). Besides, it was quite a long period of communion with God from the time He left the multitudes to the time He came to His disciples (John 6:15-17).

We must allow the Lord to develop us into people who crave for the presence of God in prayers. We must not only cultivate the attitude, but also cultivate the attitude of tarrying long in prayer (1 Samuel 15:11; Luke 18:2; 2:37; 1 Thessalonians 3:10 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:8 1 Timothy 5:5; 2 Timothy 1:3).

Further, the Lord often resorted to the mountains to pray, both in the night and the day (e.g. Luke 6:12; John 6:15). This is not because God listens more attentively to prayers made in the mountain, rather, He went for the quietness, solitude and concentration that effective prayers require (Matthew 6:5-6). However, this does not suggest that the efficacy of prayer has been lost if circumstances demand that prayers be said in the open (consider John 6:11; 11:41-43; Acts 7:60; 20:36; 21:5).

As His disciples, we must learn from these facts of the Lord’s life. However, those who might emulate His going to the mountain in the night “to pray” must realize that it is not everything that Christ did that we are permitted to do. There is the danger of wild animals, poisonous serpents, cold and the risk of being misconstrued as night marauders.

NB. The Lord’s prayer sessions were often without food (e.g. John 6:15). In fact prayer is at its best when there is no weight in the body due to food. If we come regularly to tarry in the presence of God, surely the nature of God must radiate into our lives. No one can be under the sun without being affected by the heat of the sun (Proverbs 27:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

3. HIS FAITH (John 6:19-20).

THE Lord walked on the sea because His human mind had been so emboldened by the Spirit of God and the Word of God that the sea table had become ordinary ground in His eyes. Initially, He had been filled with the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). This, coupled with the fact of ceaselessly feeding the Spirit with the Word in prayer, had put a supernatural faith in Him. The statement, “fear not” shows that He did not recognize the powers of darkness, though they existed, neither did He recognize the danger the fierce winds and contrary waves were wielding. What a glorious state and standing which “the first begotten into sonship” (Psalm 2:7) has left us who have also been begotten into sonship (1 Peter 1:3) to emulate (Matthew 10:25; 1 Peter 2:21; John 14:12).

Those who are indeed His disciples must rethink their state and standing, more so, now that He is coming again for a glorious Church (Ephesians 5:27) - those who will still be believing and living for Him, despite the opposition of science, occultism, iniquities, difficulties, etc (consider Matthew 24:13; Luke 18:8).

We must seek His Spirit in a baptismal measure until we find (Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 5:6; 7:7-8). Having found His Spirit, we must go on to feed Him (the Spirit) with the Word (the sword of the Spirit - Ephesians 6:17) through communion with God until every negative thing in us has dropped. It is only on this side of life that 100% victory is guaranteed.