We track the apostles’ ‘seminary course’ through Matthew 16-17: the avoidance of the churchmanship of the Pharisees and Saducees that produced nominal worshippers, the primacy of human instrumentality, the scope of self-denial, and the need for strong desires for blessing by prayer and fasting.
It is remarkable how the Lord shaped and fashioned his disciples.
All his instruction to them, all his correction of them, every intervention in their lives, everything he showed them was out of love for them. And he did not stop loving them, not to the very end, and of course, beyond. And then, in his resurrection appearances, he appeared to them, and dealt with them in the same familiar, kindly manner that he had before his crucifixion on Calvary’s Cross.
Even in his own time of trial, He made sure that his disciples were safe. He made provision for them. He made sure they were not arrested with them. He loved them to the end of his earthly life. And all his instruction and correction was in the light of that intense love.
Here are lessons for us as ordinary believers – for we are all disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Example.
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