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Jesus Disciple
Someone once said that discipleship is the art of "working out what God has worked in." But what does it mean to be a disciple? How does Jesus intend us to follow Him? Jesus Himself gives us the answer in a conversation He had with His disciples.1
Full of Mercy
Jesus said "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful."2 The word "merciful" means "compassionate" or "pitying."Jesus showed that he was merciful in one very moving experience at the tomb of Lazarus. "Jesus wept" is memorable not only as the shortest verse in the Bible but also in its depth of emotional feeling. At that moment, more than any other, Jesus revealed His love for his friend, Lazarus. "The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears."3
Not Judging
In the next verse, Jesus develops this next thought, "Do not judge others, and God will not judge you."4 Whether in the law court or privately, it is not ours to judge. But how easy it is to be the judge even without knowing it. We make up our minds that someone is guilty. "When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that three of his fingers are pointing at himself."5
Not Condemning
Continuing the law court imagery, Jesus sees someone being given his sentence, and therefore warns his disciples, "Do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you."6 His next words are much harsher than before. "Do not come down hard upon someone." He is saying. "Don't blame, censure or pronounce guilt upon someone, or God will pronounce guilt upon you!" There is a lovely oriental custom that when a debt is paid in full, the bill is signed as paid and then nailed upon the door post of the one whose debt is cleared. In this way, someone passing by can see it. May our forgiveness be as complete!
1Luke 6:36-42. 2Luke 6:8 316 4 Luke 6:375Louis Nizer 6Luke 6:37
"The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears."
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