Shema
CF Ambassador
An Emoji Devotional for Fri, March 3 2023
Topic: How can I become a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ?
By Pastor Hans Wenger
Do you know Jesus Christ? Before following somebody and even much more important, allowing to be educated and thought by somebody, we should certainly know, who that person really is. Let us check out, what we know about him. Talking about him, we need to forget about religion or about a religious system. Although Christianity as we know it has built such e system, it is never what he meant. His life on earth was much more geared to destroy the religious system of the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus Christ was strictly and thoroughly relational concerning the divine and the profane. He did not introduce a new religious cult, but made clear that everything is dependent on the personal relationship between God and man as well as between man and man. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ (Matthew 22:35 – 40)
Let us hear what the Apostle Paul says about Jesus Christ in his Epistle to the Colossians: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:13 – 23)
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man and therefore the mediator between God and man. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (Apostle Paul, in 1. Timothy 2:1 – 6)
Now, as we know just a little of who, Jesus Christ is, we will look how he invited people to follow him. He began his preaching by telling: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17b) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.‘ Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18 – 21)
It is today exactly the same as it has been then. Jesus calls people to follow him and he will give them rest and life eternal. He is man’s only chance to get saved from certain death and condemnation. The story of Peter and Andrew, James and John make us clear that following Jesus is not only a decision, but a turn around, a change of direction. They turn away from what has been determined their lives till now and submit now to a new direction. Jesus taught: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?’
The same way it has not been cheap for God to reconcile us – it has cost him his beloved son – it is not cheap for us to surrender our lives to God. It costs us our phantasies about life and accepting that true life cannot be found but in God. Even though our walk with God is likely to begin with a prayer of surrender, it is much more than just a prayer of surrender. In Luke 15 Jesus tells us the parable of the two lost sons. The younger one has searched his life in worldly pleasures. He went away from the father. His repentance was not so the prayer (Luke 15, : “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants,” but much more in the humility to turn back to the Father and the acknowledgment that his own way has brought him almost to his demise. His return triggered the Father’s mercy and grace and he was accepted as a “new-born” son. “‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
The Father waits for you too! Make the decision to go back to him and be a follower of Christ Jesus. You will not be rejected. John tells us about Jesus: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:11 – 13) Moreover, Jesus said in Luke 15:7: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. I acknowledge that I have lived my life without you. I have searched my own way and I have sinned against you by searching for fulfillment outside of you. I am guilty before you and I pray for your mercy and grace. I truly repent from all my crooked ways. Thank you that your son, Jesus Christ, has paid for me with his blood and that I therefore can be clean before you through your grace. Please come into my heart and guide me in your ways through your Holy Spirit. Renew me from the inside out. Thank you that you accept me as your born again son / daughter. Amen.
Tell somebody your decision today and look for a community of true followers of Christ, with whom you can share life. The blessings of the Almighty God be with you!
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