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We are reading in Luke Chapter 6 and in verse 11, we learn how the plot thickens. Jesus Christ has healed a man who had a shriveled hand and now that man would be able to use what was previous unusable.

That is one of the reasons why God the Father sent Jesus Christ, His Son, into the world. Jesus Christ came to heal what needed healing, and to restore what was broken, and as Jesus performs this miracle His critics, who are furious at what Jesus did on the Sabbath, are now discussing and conspiring as to what they might do to Jesus.

This is what I find difficult in the Bible. They did not like Jesus doing certain things on the Sabbath, but it was all right for them to be angry, furious, and critical!

Luke informs us in verse 12, that Jesus withdraws for prayer, and this being prior to an important and highly crucial decision being made. Jesus is choosing those men who would be among His first disciples and Jesus is consulting and communing with His Father regarding the details.

These are to be the men who would be right at the very heart of the work. They are not famous, nor rich and probably in their twenties. There was not a religious leader among them, of that which was dead! But they were leaders.

They would be with Jesus over these next three years observing and watching and listening to everything. Their natural gifts would be transformed and used by God.

A disciple is a learner. The word for disciple is ‘mathetes’ from which we get mathematics.

How many would like to fly in an aircraft designed by a man who believed that two and two made five? Yet, is that not how we sometimes behave and act in the Church of Jesus Christ? We permit almost anything. Believe what you want? Do what you want? Wander around if you want to? Find a place where you can feel at home, and be at ease? No. No.

Discipleship knows a different dimension. Disciples must be as disciplined as any discipline of mathematics – of course, with mercy and grace and sensitivity and tenderness and courage and strength – and that is why we need the whole of the Bible – the entire Bible – lest we become unbalanced.

For three years they would be learning - coming closer - observing - watching – learning – and having various questions answered. They were uniquely privileged.

They wanted to be part of this work even though they did not know what the implications would be, and then there came that day, seven weeks after Passover - seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, and they are baptised in The Holy Spirit by the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ, and then sent out into the world.

This is where it all begins. They are called and chosen and then commissioned, three years later. Do we not meet those who would wish to be commissioned without being trained and disciplined in discipleship?

Jesus said on resurrection evening when He appeared in the upper room, “As the Father sent me so send I you.”

Jesus was born of the Spirit and anointed with the Spirit, and that is how Jesus sends out disciples, then and now. Do you know of any other method and can you support it from Scripture?

By the way – there might just be someone who would question my use of the word ‘man’. When God created man He created them male and female. That answers and resolves many irrelevant questions.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Moralism