Before we can understand the development of disciples in Luke, we must first understand what it means to be a disciple … and how that differs from our traditional understanding. It is a common misconception that those we refer to as Christians also fit Jesus’ definition of “disciple.” In actual point of fact, most of today’s Christians are much more like the religious people of Jesus’ day: the Pharisees, Sadducees, Lawyers (bible scholars), elders, Rabbis, priests, etc.

Following Jesus is not an easy path, nor a cheap one. It will cost us everything. But it is worth it! By accepting this challenge, we volunteer for a life that’s possibly void of many of the things we now rely upon: friends, family, money, sex, pleasure, wealth, popularity … but what we get in exchange is the kind of strength that relieves us of the need for those things. We become so strong that we can live a life that would feel like torture to most people … and we can smile through it. The storms that would mostly provoke others to terror – become opportunities for us to take a nap.

How do we get there? We start small, and work our way up. It all begins with commitment. This is a commitment we can make because we trust God so much that we can give it all up, and trust that He will protect us while we care for others, and not for ourselves.

Only by making such a commitment will you ever understand Jesus. You simply cannot have anything more than intellectual knowledge of him without the commitment. But having made the commitment to follow Jesus and trust everything about yourself to God … you will discover “peace that passes understanding,” and “rest for your soul.”

Will you join him?