~~ DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A DISCIPLE AND BEING PART OF THE MULTITUDE~~

–Jesus never claimed the multitude as HIS, though they followed him for physical benefits rather than spiritual devotion, they had also not submitted nor committed to him (John 6:2,15, 26).

— And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him (Matthew 5:1).

— Immediately Jesus made HIS DISCIPLES get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the MULTITUDES away (Matthew 14:22).

— Now Jesus called HIS DISCIPLES to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the MULTITUDE, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat (Matthew 15:32).

–Then Jesus spoke to the MULTITUDES and to HIS DISCIPLES (Matthew 23:1).

–Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with HIS DISCIPLES and A GREAT MULTITUDE (Mark 10:46).

–And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of HIS DISCIPLES and A GREAT MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits (Luke 10:17-18).

–Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of HIS DISCIPLES went with Him, and A LARGE CROWD (Luke 7:11).

–For there were about FIVE THOUSAND MEN. Then He said to HIS DISCIPLES, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty” (Luke 9:14).

Although Jesus taught how one could be HIS disciples, very few were interested……………“Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, v26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. v27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:25).

–Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31).

–By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another ( John 13:35).

–By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:8).

REFLECTION:
a. Disciples draw close to the Lord, while the multitude keep their distance, fearing their lifestyle may be inconvenienced.

b. Disciples are willing to commit and pay the cost, while multitudes go home after hearing without committing to the teachings.

c. Disciples respond when they are called to service and work details. Multitudes come to hear and be healed (just to receive and not really to give).

d. Though the multitudes were always in Jesus’ meetings, they still had not made him their shepherd and were thus vulnerable.

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

e. A disciple has a teachable heart, unlike the multitude,….. “He did not say anything to them without using a parable. BUT WHEN HE WAS ALONE WITH HIS OWN DISCIPLES, HE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING” (Mark 4:33-34).

— Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because HE WAS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES (Mark 9:30-31).

e. The Great Commission is about making HIS DISCIPLES. “Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations………..(Matthew 28:19).

Therefore, being a disciple goes beyond simply listening to teachings. At times, the disciples privately asked Jesus deeper questions, they prayed alongside Him, served Him by finding donkeys and boats for His use, gathered and prepared food for Him, and frequently went ahead to arrange His next meetings.

Are you HIS DISCIPLE or part of the multitude?