Disciples and Rewards

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?  There are several parables and accounts in the Old Testament that illuminate meaningful principles that can help us understand how to become a better disciple of Him.  In Luke 10:38-42, the story of Martha and Mary is recounted.  Christ comes to visit Martha, who has a sister named Mary.  Mary “[sits] at Jesus’ feet, and [hears] his word,” while Martha is “cumbered about much serving.”  Martha expresses her feelings to the Savior when she says, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”  Then Jesus answers, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  There are many ways that this account can be viewed and dissected, but I’ll just focus on one: Mary recognized that the Savior’s teachings were more important than other tasks that may have needed attending to at that moment.  How does this translate into being a disciple of Christ? Disciples of Christ listen to His word, and place Him and His teachings above anything and everything else.

In Luke 11:1-13 our Savior teaches man how to pray, and shares these well known words: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”  Disciples of Christ pray to Heavenly Father, seek forgiveness, search for truth, and listen for answers from Heavenly Father.

According to Christ’s teachings in Luke 12:13-40, disciples of Christ give no thought for themselves, but seek to serve others.  Disciples of Christ fear not, give all that they have, lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth, and trust in Heavenly Father.  Luke 14:33 says, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”  Ultimately we must be willing to give up anything and everything we have in order to be a disciple of Christ.  We must take up our cross and follow Him, no matter what sacrifices we may be required to make.

In the Book of Mormon it says, “And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (Omni 1:26).  Each day I will continually work to improve my dedication to my Savior, and to becoming more like a disciple of Him.  I know that is what He wants me do.

 

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

Recall the parable Christ teaches to his disciples in Mathew 19:16-30, regarding a young man who comes to Christ and asks what he should do in order to have eternal life.  Christ first shares the Ten Commandments with the young man, to which the young man replies, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”  Then Christ says, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”  Unfortunately, we know the ending to this parable.  The young man turns away, feeling sorrowful, because he had many great possessions.  Christ used this parable to teach His disciples that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”  Obviously, the word rich here holds a deeper meaning than what we may initially think; Christ is referring to riches of this world that keep us from following Him.  This could be any number of things, including actual money, homes, cars, vacations, hobbies, and so forth.  In Mathew 6:19-20 it says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  I have a testimony that all the wealth in the world can never make up for what we gain when we put Christ first in our lives.  If we are willing to give up everything for Him, we will be blessed.  “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mathew 6:33).

I know that as we seek to be disciples of Christ, and put Him first in our lives by "laying up" our heavenly rewards, we will be happy and blessed.

~Tanisha