Jesus Christ had a group of followers who were known as his disciples. These people were chosen by Jesus to follow him, learn from him, and spread his teachings to the world.
The character of Jesus’ disciples is an essential aspect of their role in Christianity. In this article, we will discuss the various character traits that define a disciple of Jesus.
Committed
One of the primary qualities of a disciple is their commitment to Jesus Christ. When Jesus called his disciples, he asked them to leave behind their families, friends, and possessions and follow him. This meant that they had to give up everything they had known and trust in Jesus’ teachings completely.
Matthew 4:19-20 says, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets and followed him.” This shows the commitment that the disciples had towards Jesus.
Faithful
Another crucial aspect of a disciple’s character is faithfulness. The disciples believed in Jesus’ teachings and were willing to stand by him even when it was difficult. They did not waiver or doubt his message but instead trusted in him completely.
In John 6:66-68, many people who had been following Jesus turned away from him because they found his teachings difficult to accept. However, when Jesus asked his disciples if they too would leave him, Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”
This response shows the faithful nature of the disciples and their unwavering devotion towards Jesus.
Servant-hearted
Jesus taught his disciples about serving others with humility and love. He demonstrated this himself when he washed the feet of his disciples before his crucifixion.
In Mark 10:43-45, Jesus tells his disciples, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus’ disciples took this message to heart and lived their lives in service to others. They were humble and willing to put others’ needs before their own.
Bold
Despite facing persecution and opposition, the disciples remained bold in their faith. They preached the gospel fearlessly and were willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.
In Acts 4:13, Peter and John are described as being uneducated and ordinary men, yet they spoke boldly about Jesus in front of the religious leaders of their time.
The disciples’ boldness was not something that came from within themselves but was instead a result of their trust in Jesus Christ. They knew that he was with them always, even unto the end of the age.
Loving
Finally, one of the most essential qualities that defined Jesus’ disciples was their love for others. Jesus taught his followers to love one another as he had loved them.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
The disciples lived out this commandment by showing love not just towards other believers but also towards those who opposed them.
In conclusion, the character traits that define a disciple of Jesus are commitment, faithfulness, servant-heartedness, boldness, and love. These qualities are what make a disciple stand out and serve as an example to others. As followers of Christ, we can learn from their example and strive to live our lives with these characteristics.