As we continue our sermon series on the Book of John, we focus on Jesus’ disciples this week. In Chapter one in the Book of John, we read that John’s disciples leave him to go follow Jesus (verse 35-39). The disciples called Jesus, “rabbi,” which means teacher. Pastor Adam shared some insight about the role of “rabbis,” and the customs they followed at that time. “Rabbis were teachers of the law, with various perspectives of how we are to live in a way to please God.” Jewish boys at that time would study, and only the most elite scholars would be chosen to follow rabbis and continue on with their studies. While only elite students were called and chosen by rabbis, Jesus called on everyday ordinary people. Jesus chose people who ordinarily would not be called to follow, like Peter, John, and James who were fisherman, and Matthew, a tax collector.
Pastor Adam shared a blessing that rabbis would give their students, which states, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” In her article, “Get Dusty!,” Victoria Jones explained this saying further; “The idea is that a rabbi’s disciples—those who took on his yoke, his set of interpretations of scripture—were to follow so closely behind him when they walked that they would become caked in the dust he kicked up with his feet. The blessing had a literal meaning but was primarily metaphoric, and the common Christian saying “following in the footsteps of Jesus” conveys the same idea.”
I love the imagery of following so close to Jesus, that I’m literally walking in His dust. This reminds me of the saying ‘eat my dust.’ As kids we would say this to our friends and take off running, hoping to leave them far behind in our dust. It is different with Jesus, then those child-like actions. We want to be so close to Him that we not only get His dust sprinkled on us, but we need to get caked on dirt and mud, encrusted on our legs because we are following so closely.
As we go through the week, we will take time to focus on the encounters Jesus had with his disciples and the lessons we learn from those encounters. Here is a summary of those encounters that Pastor Adam shared on Sunday.
Feeding the 5000: no challenge you face is impossible for God
Walking on water: there is no challenge you will face alone
Bread of life discussion: following Jesus will never be easy
Washing the disciple's feet: the path to blessing is humility
Encouraging words: when life gets tough, remember His promises
Warning: don't walk away when it gets tough
Resurrection: through the resurrection, there is peace hope & purpose
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Monday: Getting Dusty with Jesus
As we begin the week, let us remind ourselves of how closely we need to follow Jesus. We want to be so close that we are covered in His dust. Look at this picture above. You see the image of the person moving in what can be portrayed as dust. Think of Jesus standing in the middle of that dust, and you are the person moving around him. Imagine being close to Him and being caught up in His dust storm. How does it feel to be so close to Him?
Remember, Jesus wasn’t looking for the best; He was looking for ordinary people to be His disciples. Like Pastor Adam shared, “following Jesus isn’t about your ability, but your availability.”
Reflection/ Action: In the first chapter of John, Jesus calls His disciples in different ways. In verses 35-39, John’s two disciples leave John to follow Jesus. When asked where He is staying, Jesus responds to them in verse 39 stating, “Come,” “and you will see.” In verse 43, Jesus tells Phillip simply to “Follow me.” In Jesus’ encounter with Nathanael, Jesus tells Nathanael, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that” (verse 50).
Take time today to think about how Jesus called you. Pray about being available to Jesus. Again, it’s not your abilities that draw Jesus to you; it’s simply you. Thank Jesus today for his unconditional love. Thank Him for picking you to be His disciple.
Tuesday: Jesus takes on your daily challenges
In John, chapter 6, Jesus had two encounters with His disciples that exhibit his ability to face challenges. When Jesus feeds the 5000, Jesus shows us and His disciples that no challenge you face is impossible for God. When He walked on water, Jesus showed His disciples that there is no challenge in life that you will face alone.
Reflection/ Action: Read John 6: 5-13. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Read John 6:16-20. When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Jesus fed thousands of hungry people and walked on water. Can you imagine the amazement that His disciples were feeling when they witnessed this? How would you feel if Jesus came to you walking on water? Have you ever experienced Jesus coming to you in the midst of a challenge? Think about a time when Jesus showed up for you when you least expected it.
Spend time in prayer. Ask God to meet you to help you face your challenges. If you have experienced a time where you knew Jesus showed up for you, recall that time, and thank Him.
Wednesday – Jesus, the Bread of Life
Imagine you were in the room when Jesus told His disciples that “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6: 54). After the initial shock wears off, would you still be willing to follow Jesus? When Jesus had this encounter with His disciples, we have learned that following Jesus was not easy for them, just as it may not always be easy for us.
Reflection/ Action: Read John 6: 53-58. Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
After listening to His disciple’s grumble, Jesus questioned His disciples if they were offended. Many of his disciples turned back and chose not to follow Jesus anymore (John 6:66). When Jesus asked his disciples if they wanted to leave, Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God” (John 6: 68-69).
Spend time in prayer today. Thank Jesus for being the bread of life. We know our lives on earth can be hard but going through life with Jesus will allow us to have a different experience. The road we travel on may not be easy, we may experience ridicule or criticism for following Jesus, but with Jesus, we are given eternal life.
Thursday – The Path to Blessing is Humility
Before Jesus had to leave this earth, Jesus had an intimate experience with His disciples. Jesus showed His disciples how he wanted them to serve one another. No one was greater than Jesus in the room, and Jesus acted as a servant, and washed his disciples’ feet. Like Pastor Adam shared on Sunday, “servant hood is the path to blessing.”
Reflection/ Action: Read John 13:4-5. So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
When we have talked about these experiences this week, I just imagine being in the room with Jesus and His disciples. Today would be a day to experience. Imagine seeing Jesus, the Messiah, our Lord, and Savior standing in front of you. He grabs a towel, puts water in a basin and begins to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them.
Imagine Jesus coming to you next to wash your feet. Personally, I would feel that I wasn’t worthy of taking part in this experience, but Jesus would wash our feet with no hesitation. Thank Jesus for his humility and for setting the example for us. Spend time in prayer today and ask Jesus how you can show humility to others.
Friday – Life is tough, but our God is greater
As cliché as this may sound, you know this one is true. In the book of John, there are many scriptures that Jesus spoke to encourage His disciples. As Jesus encouraged his disciples, he reminds us that “when life gets tough, remember His promises.” Jesus also warned His disciples, specifically “don’t walk away when it gets tough.”
Jesus prepared His disciples, just as He is preparing us with His word.
Reflection/ Action: Read John 14:1 - Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
John 14:12-14- I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 15:5 - Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Say these encouragements in prayer today:
I will not let my heart be troubled. I trust in you God. I trust in your plan for me and my life. Jesus, you remain in me, and me in you; thank you for producing fruit in my life.
Thank you for your encouragement, Lord. Thank you for your commitment to encouraging me daily. I know I may pay a price for following Jesus, but I know you are with me. I pray for steadfast faith and know that apart from you Lord, I cannot do anything. I pray this to my heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Saturday – The Resurrection
As we close the week, I have spent time imagining about being in a room with Jesus. After all these encounters that we read about this week; I was left in awe of the disciples’ amazing experiences they had with Jesus. We too can experience Jesus in our daily lives.
Reflection/ Action: Read John 20:19-21. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Jesus stood there among His disciples and showed them His hands. As Pastor Adam shared, then “Jesus reminds them of what he has called them to do.”
Spend time with God today. Choose a worship song to listen to, or you can listen to “In the Room.” Remind yourself how Jesus died for you and me and has plans for you. He has left us His words to remind us of His promises. Remind yourself that nothing is impossible for our God, and He will be there with us in the midst of our trials. Being a disciple of Jesus is not easy, but his path is a blessing of humility. When we are on that rocky path, remember His promises and don’t walk away from Him when life gets tough. Through Jesus, there is peace, hope, and purpose.