by Caroline Cooper

Serving God is a privilege filled with blessings. And challenges.

We work tirelessly, striving to serve in humility as we follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Our goal is to please God alone as we look to Jesus as our example. But in our humanity, selfishness is hard to defeat. At times we may wonder why we’re not getting the attention we deserve. Why are some folks recognized repeatedly for their work in a popular ministry at church? Why do others seem to have public success and reach celebrity status? Why doesn’t anyone notice what we’re doing for the Lord?

Disciples

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).

Jesus did not shy away from telling the disciples what would be expected of them as His followers. As His time on earth neared its end, He repeatedly told them about the cost of discipleship — and their eternal reward — and tried to prepare them for His coming death and resurrection.

But being mortal men, how could they understand such an amazing supernatural event? Only after Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and proved Himself as the Messiah did they grasp the significance of His life, death, resurrection, and reign from heaven.

The three Synoptic Gospels include a listing of Jesus’ disciples (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16). In the book of Acts, author Luke includes Matthias, the disciple selected to replace Judas (1:24-26).

Acts 1:13 is the last time nine of the original twelve disciples are named in Scripture. And while the apostles changed the world by following the Great Commission, five of them are specifically named less than five times, while another three are named between ten to sixteen times. Judas is named twenty-four times. Only Jesus’ inner circle is named more often in the Gospels and into the book of Acts: Peter (more than one hundred fifty times) and James and John (around forty-two times).

Suffering for Christ

From Scripture, we have little information about most of the apostles and their sacrificial work to spread the Gospel. But church history and tradition reveal that each of Jesus’s chosen Twelve lived out His words to take up their cross and lose their lives for His sake.

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs contains a summary of how many of the disciples were killed for their faith. From this resource, we discover that at least five were crucified, two were beheaded, and two were killed with a spear. Many of them were beaten, stoned, and tortured in other ways before their deaths.

Yet they endured to the end.

Discipleship today

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).

The apostles and many other early followers of Jesus set an example for us to follow in bringing the gospel to the world. What can we learn from them? How can we be the disciples Jesus needs today? Here are five suggestions.

• Grow into an intimate relationship with Jesus. Know Him and the GOSPEL message by studying Scripture daily and praying unceasingly.
• Develop a Christlike character that includes humility, self-sacrifice, confidence, and passion for God.
• Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and guide you in your walk with the Lord and acts of service.
• Be bold in sharing the gospel. Knowing the truth, you need to share it with those who are lost.
• Be mindful of your eternal perspective. While your work on this earth is essential, your true home is with Jesus forever.

Being a disciple starts with who you are rather than what you do. Why were the disciples willing to give up everything for the Lord as they lived out the Great Commission? Because they knew Jesus, were confident in the truth of the gospel, and welcomed the opportunity to serve the Lord until He called them home.

May God grant us grace and courage to do the same.

Caroline Cooper has been published in such publications as Standard, Indian Life magazine, and Focus on the Family Online. She has also contributed to a few book compilations and has self-published books. Caroline lives in Harrisonville, MO.