“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!” (Matthew 10:24-25)
We’re continuing the discussion from yesterday that began here about how to be His disciple. Far too many of us desire to be true disciples of Christ, but either don’t know to, or don’t follow through to put ourselves in actual discipling relationships. A follower of Christ Jesus should position himself or herself rightly in spiritual relationships. There are teachers of the Kingdom of Heaven and they need to be received as such. We can’t receive them until we honor and relate to them accordingly.
There is something unseen that happens in a relationship such as this. When we grant someone stewardship authority over our lives, God begins to show them how to best train us. We begin to understand the spiritual things that they are teaching, first with our spirit, then with our mind. We begin to change because of this disciple relationship. This is a major way that God grows us. I don’t mean to sound mystical. Outwardly, strange things are not happening, but inwardly God uses these relationships to teach us.
The disciple must yield to his teacher. (That being said, beware someone who comes to you telling you you must yield to their authority. One capable of teaching would let you come to him or her. It is not God’s way to force Himself on us, and it is likewise not the way of His devoted to stray from His standard. The one discipling would look at this relationship as something precious to steward and would not take it lightly. Such relationships must be affirmed in the heart and requires yielding in real life.
Yes, it is ultimately the Holy Spirit that will teach us all things. But the ones entrusted with the Kingdom are also entrusted with this mission of discipleship of others.
Jesus was sending out His disciples to train them in such things and as always with scripture, we should look to see how these things apply to our lives. One last thing…if you are hungry for a teacher, pray to God unceasingly. He will send one.
What can you add to what we’ve written here?