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When I consider the first disciples following Jesus my mind is filled with images of great spiritual leaders inspiring thousands to follow the Risen Lord.  These humans were gifted with  strength in adversity, inspirational oration, a vision of God’s plan, and unmatched Christian character.   My mental impression is of a spiritual superhero unique in talents, abilities, and dedication; …. yet I’m reminded that they began their faith journey just like you and me.  The first disciples opened their hearts and consented to be fashioned by Jesus into a powerful chorus that changed the world.

Moving from the ranks of a follower of Jesus to a dedicated disciple is not about being born with superhuman talents but about a willingness to seek the Lord with a pure heart. We become a vessel for the gifts of discipleship.

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, 9 persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, 10 always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

Consider the example of Philip, Jesus traveled to Galilee to find him and said, “follow me”1. Philip immediately went and enlisted his friend Nathanael and explained he found the Messiah. It was apparent that Philip and Nathanael had been searching for the Lord perhaps influenced by the ministry of John the Baptist but reinforced by a sincere belief and knowledge of the prophecy. These men possessed a pure heart and an internal burning desire to seek the Lord.

Perhaps like Philip we all believe we found Jesus at some point in our lives, but I have come to realize Jesus called me many years before. I denied Him until I accepted His grace. The faith trail is a constant journey, a maturing relationship with God, that grows as we open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to nurture and transform us. But for many there is a time in our fragile conversion that we may question our decision. Given worldly influences and pressures we may doubt His blessings and presence in our lives. Philip struggled with his belief despite his years following Jesus. His pessimistic and worldly orientation left him with reservations. In the last supper Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death, resurrection, and the launch of their ministries. Jesus speaks to the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place  or you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”2 Thomas responded perhaps without thinking, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the  way?”. But Philip’s question paused Jesus reflecting his frail faith and obvious doubt, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”3

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me  does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:9-12.

John MacArthur characterizes the feeble and vulnerable faith of Philip, “His earthbound thinking, his materialism, his skepticism, his obsession with mundane details, his  reoccupation
with business details, and his small-mindedness shut him off from a full appreciation of whose presence he had enjoyed… He was a man of imperfect understanding. He was skeptical, analytical, pessimistic, reluctant, and unsure.”4 Despite all his failings and misgivings, Philip’s ministry in Greece and Asia brought thousands to Christ. Regardless of our weaknesses, sins, and failings the Holy Spirit transforms a pure and seeking heart into a voice for the Lord. 

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10.

Jesus transformed Philip into a powerful and effective disciple, perhaps the resurrection erased his lingering doubts. Easter is a time for us to cast out our reservations and seek the Risen Lord. As followers of Jesus, we are granted the occasion to open our hearts to a conversion to faithful disciples.

Prayer: Jesus, I come with a pure and seeking heart. Replace my fears, misgivings, and failings with the gifts of discipleship. Allow my efforts to join a choir of faithful singing of the love, forgiveness, and redemption offered in a life in Christ. We make this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

1 John 1:43.

2 John 14:1-4.
3 John 14:8.
4 Twelve Ordinary Men, by John MacArthur, Nelson Books, 2007. Page 133.

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors with Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.