BECOME A DISCIPLE
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Monday 16th September 2024
“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away”. Matthew 14:22 (KJV)
There is a clear-cut distinction between multitudes and disciples. Multitudes are those who worship God because of material things. And when those physical things don’t come, they turn their back on God. But disciples look for spiritual food. The disciples know that when they are built on spiritual food, no matter the adversity, they will be standing. But those who build on material things fall for anything.
The things people are running after will be shaken because they are not built to last. So, you can get it today, and tomorrow it is gone! When the shaking comes, whatever is not built on the word will fall, even if you are a believer. But if you are built on spiritual food, the word of God, you will not be moved. Remember that a man’s life consists not of the abundance of the things he has. Never elevate material things above the things of the Spirit. The Spirit realm governs the material realm. Even if you lose things, if you are still alive, they will still come because you got them by grace in the first place.
Multitudes are only overtly concerned about what their eyes can see, while disciples are finding out ‘who am I in God’. Disciples are there to be transformed. Multitudes follow Christ for comfort, while disciples follow him for commitment. Multitudes follow for leisure, but disciples follow to be taught. The disciple’s concern is ‘show me how’. Teach us to pray like John taught his disciples to pray.
A miracle has just taken place in the midst of the multitude. Then Jesus sent the multitude away. Jesus sent the multitudes away because they were about to experience a greater glory. But the multitude won’t partake of it because it wasn’t not for them. Come out of the multitudes and become a disciple. A greater glory awaits you! You cannot partake of this glory if you remain with the multitudes.
Further Reading: Matthew 14:14-36
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 25-26; Evening- 2 Corinthians 9