Jesus is the ideal model for understanding how to walk as His disciple. The question is, “What are the key marks that Jesus first expressed as He began His ministry that we should seek in our own life as His disciples?”
“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””
Matthew 3:13-17
Three Marks of a Disciple of Christ
Christ began His public ministry exemplifying three key dispositions: (1) Humility, (2) Unity, (3) Knowledge & Appropriation of God’s Word.
HUMILITY
Here we see as Christ begins His ministry that he assumes the position of submission and acceptance of identification. John the baptist recognizes this paradox and says, “…and do you come to me?” Here is the second person in the Godhead…the ultimate authority and power coming and placing himself in submission and identification with humanity. Christ’s answer is astounding, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness..” Commentators suggest that Christ–as man’s sin-substitute–would provide righteousness for hopeless humanity, and here (in being baptized) He identifies Himself with those whom He came to redeem. Thus, the first mark of a disciple is a spirit of HUMILITY–identifying with Christ’s humility.
UNITY
After Christ was baptized, we see a picture of beauty, of glory, and perfect unity. The Son comes out of the water of baptism, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. The unity of God is on public display for all to see. Thus, the second mark of a disciple is a spirit of UNITY–being unified with God’s people as God is unified within Himself.
GOD’S WORD
Lastly, immediately following Christ’s baptism, we see in Matthew 4 that, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Christ’s responses to Satan’s temptations are not with wit and wisdom of His day, but rather He answered each of Satan’s temptations with Scripture:
“And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’””
Matthew 4:3-8
How easy is it to rely on personal experience and insight alone to deal with temptation? We are to be not only students of Scripture, but swordsman with the Scripture so that we are not deceived by the temptations of the devil. Satan’s temptations come at us in pleasure, hunger for power, and seeking prestige. He uses the all-encompassing temptations, while at the same time twisting God’s Word to justify his attacks. Christ’s knowledge and proper application of Scripture enabled Him to thwart the demonic attacks as he began his public ministry. Therefore, the third mark of a disciple of Christ is built on a foundation of and ability to appropriate GOD’S WORD to everyday life.
HUMILITY. UNITY. GOD’S WORD. –> Marks of a Christ-following disciple.
— July 24, 2020