"Learn From Me"

Jesus Christ always thought, taught, and acted appropriately. His time on earth was short, but he enjoyed a rewarding and satisfying career, and he remained happy. He gathered disciples and taught them how to worship God, love humanity and conquer the world. (John 16:33) He filled their hearts with hope and "shed light upon life and incorruption through the good news." (2Timothy 1:10) If you count yourself among his disciples, what do you think it means to be a disciple? By considering what Jesus says about disciples, we can learn how to enrich our lives . That involves adopting his viewpoint and applying some basic principles. - Matthew 10:24, 25; Luke 14:26, 27; John 8:31, 32; 13:35; 15:8.

In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the word translated "disciple" basically means one who directs his mind to something, or one who learns. A related word occurs in our theme text, Matthew 11:29: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. "Yes, a disciple is a learner. The Gospels usually apply the word "disciple" to Jesus' intimated followers, who traveled with him as he preached and who were instructed by him. Some people might simply have accepted Jesus' teachings, even doing so secretly. (Luke 6:17; John 19:38) The Gospel writers also referred to "the disciples of John [the Baptizer] and the disciples of the Pharisees." (Mark 2:18) Since Jesus cautioned his followers to "watch out . . . for the teaching of the Pharisees," we can ask ourselves, ' whose disciple have I become?" - Matthew 16:12.

If we are Jesus' disciples, if we have learned from him, then others ought to feel spiritually refreshed in our presence. They ought to discern that we have become more mild-tempered and lowly in heart. If we have management, responsibilities on our job, are parents, or have shepherding duties in the Christian congregation, do those in our care feel that we treat them as Jesus treated those in his care?

Next time: How Jesus Dealt With People