HIS DISCIPLE OR THE MULTITUDES?

MEMORY VERSE: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. Matthew 5:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ecclesiastes 9-10

Two categories of people followed Jesus: His disciples and the multitudes. His disciples were His followers; viz, the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4), the seventy- two (72) whom He sent in pairs to towns and places He planned to visit (Luke 10:1), Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), Mary called Magdalene, Joanna wife of Chuza (Luke 8:2-3), etc. The multitudes, on the other hand, were the nameless, faceless people who followed Jesus. They came to Him because they were in need of one thing or the other. They took their leave the moment He answered their prayers.The multitudes were always 'coming and going’; the disciples were with Him because they loved Him. The multitudes only wanted to receive; they never gave back in return. The disciples received and gave back to Him. Whilst the disciples were at His feet learning, the multitudes were busy chasing after things - things they would leave behind when they die. The disciples were always available - always available to run errands for Him. The multitudes, as you rightly guessed, were never available for work. The disciples shared the passion of Christ. They were with Jesus through thick and thin; the multitudes weren’t. Matthew 5:1 says:” And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.”

Jesus dealt (and still deals) with these two groups - His disciples and the multitudes - differently. For instance, He spoke to the multitude in parables but He spoke to the disciples in plain words. Mark 4:11 says: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.” The multitudes only saw Him when He wanted them to see Him. Luke 5:15-16 says: “But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” His disciples saw Him when they wanted. Jesus shared His secrets with His disciples. Luke 18:31 says: “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.” Several months back, I walked past a man around our office and the Lord said to me, “that’s your new manager.” We had no manager at the time and I didn’t know the senior managers were recruiting for the position.  I told my colleagues when I returned to the office but they doubted me. Four hours later, the man was introduced to us as our new manager. Jesus rarely hid things from His disciples. He told them that one of them was going to betray Him.

QUESTION: Which of these two groups do you belong? Are you one of His disciples or multitudes?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world