DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - TUESDAY: “What Would Jesus Desire?”

God never intended His Church to be a refrigerator in which to preserve perishable piety. He intended it to be an incubator in which to hatch out converts." -- F. Lincicome
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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -- Mat 28:19-20

It is quite common to see young people wearing a bracelet, T-shirt, or other article of clothing with the letters "WWJD" This stands for "What Would Jesus Do?" Many young people like wearing something designed to remind them to always ask in any situation, "What Would Jesus Do?"

Some time back, I was watching Bill Clinton being interviewed by a British commentator on BBC TV and I noticed that Bill was wearing a "WWJD" bracelet; he obviously didn’t take much notice of what Jesus would do, alas, when the interviewer questioned him on a tryst with a certain young woman, he lost his temper and got very angry with his host!

However, I think I know what Jesus would do in any given situation; so it is with this in mind that I want to ask the question... "What Would Jesus Desire?" What would Jesus desire of you today? Is there something Jesus would want you to do today? Is there something Jesus would want you to be doing everyday?

I believe there are several things we can note that Jesus would desire of every follower. As we consider His words in Mat 28:19-20, ask yourself whether Jesus would desire it of you. For example, I believe Jesus would desire...

THAT WE BECOME HIS DISCIPLES
He said... “Go therefore and make disciples…” He wants His followers to make disciples; In order to make disciples we have to become a disciple... Gk: Matheteuo - enrol as a scholar – a disciple. A disciple is one who desires to become like His teacher…

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. -- Luke 6:40. When Jesus trains you He trains you well!

Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decoration.

As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple. "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars," the minister said with a satisfied smile. "You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free." -- Michael Jinkins

Why Would Jesus Desire Us To Become His Disciples?
So that we may learn from Him… Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -- Matt 11:28-30

The expression "take my yoke" in NT times meant to become one's disciple… i.e., “saddle up” with Jesus and let Him lead us in the direction we should go… why? To offer rest for our souls, He knows that we are under the burden of sin, the burden of the guilt of sin, which is both the legal and emotional guilt of sin!

We need to learn from Him how to become free from the burden of sin, for freedom from sin is true freedom... Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -- John 8:34-36

Only in Him can we become free from... the legal guilt of sin which is, (having transgressed the Law of God) the emotional guilt of sin which is,(having transgressed our own consciences).

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. -- John Diefenbaker

Jesus clearly desires us to be His disciples, to learn from Him and to let Him lighten our load; are we His disciples?

Loving Father, I thank you that I have been set free from the power of sin, set free from the legal and emotional guilt that it carried for me. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a disciple of Jesus, to sit at His feet and learn from Him, that I may go forth some day and make disciples of all nations! In Jesus name I pray! Amen!