The Privilege

I sometimes think about what it would be like if I were a disciple of Jesus during the time when He walked the Earth, in the flesh, pre-crucifixion.

The disciples lived and breathed with Jesus. They came to know Him intimately and called Him their friend. They walked with Him, slept with Him, ate with Him, and gave up their life’s responsibilities for Him. They walked away from their boats, their families, and their futures because they believed. They had an immediate and intimate connection with Him. They had a supernatural relationship with Jesus.

When Jesus comes before the crowds and tells His stories in parables, the disciples don’t understand why He speaks to the crowds in this way. Jesus explains that they, the disciples, have been granted knowledge that the commoners in the crowds don't have. He tells them they are special. And they were; it was through these men, and those who came after them, that our faith was transmitted.

The New American Bible has the parts of this reading labeled under the subheading, "The Privilege of Discipleship." It was a privilege for His disciples to hear and understand. In the time of Jesus it wasn’t a privilege given universally.

But today we also have that privilege. We have the opportunity to enter into an intimate, supernatural relationship with Jesus. We have been invited into a friendship that allows us to walk with and talk to Him daily. We have the privilege of discipleship.

Are you one of His followers, or are you a member of the crowd? Are you eating and drinking and walking with Jesus daily, or are you one of the masses showing up on Sundays and then walking away? Are you willing to turn your back on the parts of your life that prevent you from being a true disciple, or are you okay to just sit by and hear about Jesus from other people who know Him a little better than you do? You have been invited into discipleship.

You have been invited into discipleship.Click to tweet

Will you accept the invitation?

Dr. MaryRuth Hackett is Director of Operations for Blessed is She. She loves historical fiction, dark chocolate, watching her children play soccer, a good cup of coffee (decaf please) and the quiet of the early morning. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and has a passion for helping parents understand the way their children grow and develop. You can find out more about her here. She is the author of our Blessed Conversations: Leader Guide found here.