Luke 10:17 tells us the results of Jesus’ model of discipleship: “And the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.'” Jesus is in the business of raising up tightrope walkers who are so sold out, they are prepared to work without a net.
After leaving all encumbrances behind, immersing themselves in ministry, and depending completely on God, they were wildly successful. Jesus’ model of discipleship is not easy, but if we will follow it, we’ll be successful. We’ll get on board with God’s plan for the world.
A number of years ago, on a missions project in Juarez, I was translating for a small group of students. This was their first time and they were a little worried. “How do we know who to talk to?” they asked me.
“Well, let’s stop and ask God what we should do,” I replied.
When we had finished praying, we looked up and saw a white truck approaching them on the bumpy dirt road. “Let’s pray for the driver of that truck!” one of them said.
So we prayed, “God, we ask that you would reach out and touch the driver of that white truck. Help us to share the love of Christ with him.”
We noticed that the truck had stopped, so we walked up to it. The driver introduced himself as Jose. After some small talk, the students shared how he could have eternal life. He’d been to a Catholic seminary before, but never understood that salvation is just a matter of turning one’s life over to Jesus. He was so eager to do so that he required no prodding at all.
After praying he said, “I’m so happy I just want to cry.” The students gave him a Bible and signed it, promising to pray for him daily. As he drove off, they were ecstatic. They kept saying, “that was awesome!” They had prayed and God had answered.
Next our group began talking to a man who soon asked them to pray for Lazara, his blind, arthritic wife.
Arriving at her cardboard home, they saw Lazara was alone on her bed, rocking back and forth in pain. The students gathered around her. They were moved by her condition, and prayed with faith.
When they finished praying, Lazara proclaimed, “Ya, yo veo!” Which means, “I can see!” She also got up and walked around. And once again the students were on a high. They had experienced Jesus’ model of discipleship. It had been quite a morning, and it was quite a week. Their boring, hum drum lives in Omaha couldn’t hold a candle to this. They had learned the power of prayer and had passion to use prayer in their own community.
Have you ever had experience with the model of discipling that Jesus used in Luke 10? I’ve discovered that people who experience Jesus’ model of discipleship often find it irresistible.
It is good to see God’s hand, how it moves among every where, whoever people calls on HIM.
I believe, this kind of testimonies, will strenghthen, whoever reads this message.
I love these testimonies; I agree with Sundaram. They encourage, strengthen and boot us out on our booties…I have experienced the joy of responding to God’s leading; but am also certain that with self absorption I have missed many opportunities. I am slowing down more to hone my listening skills…peace.