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
