Following Jesus

During the family pizza and bible games night, Ryan picked up a quiz card and read out the question on it.

“Mention five disciples of Jesus”.

It was Oliver’s turn to answer the question. “James, Peter, John… Oliver and Logan”, Oliver said.

Ryan, Oliver’s father was surprised at his 4-year-old son’s response.

“Oliver and Logan are not disciples of Jesus. They are not even names in the bible”, Ryan said.

“But I am a follower of Jesus. I am a disciple of Jesus. And my brother, Logan, too”, Oliver said.

Oliver is right. Sometimes when we read about the life of the disciples of Jesus, or other bible characters, we easily forget that they were men just like us. They lived on earth like we are now living – engaging with the world, yet separated from the worldly practices. They lived on earth, the natural world, while operating under supernatural principles, living by the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months” (James 5:17).

Paul and Barnabas told the people in the city of Lystra “…Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them (Acts 14:15).

The disciples of Jesus, the heroes of faith – listed in the book of Hebrews, and many other bible characters, were real people who have shown us the challenges and triumphs of following Jesus. They have given us examples to learn from. If they followed Jesus despite the godlessness of their times, we too can follow Jesus despite the corruption, moral depravity, and ungodliness in our society.

Hebrews 12:1 paints a picture of these heroes of faith watching and cheering us on as we run our own race to meet our Saviour, face-to-face.  If these heroes of faith finished well, we will finish well too if we continue to “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).