From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more

John 6:66
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Yshua's teachings are pretty high and hard to follow. If the Old Testament teachings seem hard, Yshua's teachings are even harder and goes against our natural inclinations. Where the Old Testament says "an eye for an eye", the New Testament says "when someone slaps you on one cheek, turn and give him the other cheek to slap". Many who have heard His teachings turned away, despite the miracles they witnessed. Truly this needs supernatural help, from the Holy Spirit, to keep us on track. A commentator advised that when God's instructions clashes with our own will or desires, don't spend time debating or contemplating at all. Doing so will make us think of our rights and our interests, eventually leading us down a path opposite and away from God.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations

Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Making disciples can be understood in the following way. Usually we think this verse means to tell the gospel with the intention of converting others. However, to make disciples may also mean that the seed has sown, and that the people have already been converted to Christ by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. At that stage, they will be like newborn babes. God as the Father would want to see these new Christians being cared for, hence the making of disciples could well mean grooming new Christians by bringing them into lifelong discipleship of our Lord Yshua.

This kind of unclean spirit can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting

Mark 9:29
He said to them "This kind of unclean spirit can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting"

Yshua's disciples asked Him why they could not cast out the demons in the person. So they understood from Yshua that they were given the authority to cast out demons, there was no questions that they have the authority to do this, just as we today have the same authority. Their question was practical - why did it not work? So Yshua's answer to them is that this kind of powerful enemy agent, can only be defeated by prayer and fasting. It should be obvious to them that this is not simply religious prayer and fasting to any gods or idols that they chose. It is not a formula for supernatural power. Instead the command is to pray to God the Father, and do fasting to focus our minds on Him. The more powerful the spiritual battle or enemy, the more we have to draw from God the Father himself. It is not our own strength that we can rely on, but only by the power of God.

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am

John 13:13-16
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 

Yshua is both our Lord, Teacher and Master. He does not force and control us to do His will, but let us have  our own free will. On the other hand, He is also there in our times of trouble, even if we don't welcome His presence. The role of the Teacher and Lord is together, such that we who are His disciples are required to obey Him naturally and consistently, not out of anything else but because He loved us first.

Lord, teach us to pray

Luke 11:1
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

One of the popular misconception is that prayer is only about asking God to give us things. This is similar to what other religions promote about their idols. However, the prayer to the Creator, Lord, Father of All is much more than that. There is no denying to the aspect of prayer where we can ask God and He will give like a Good Father, but there is much more.

Prayer is getting in touch with the Father via the Holy Spirit. It is talking to God, and maintaining that relationship, otherwise it will grow cold and we would lose touch with God. It is to nourish us, to build our character, to acknowledge our lack and hence dependence to God. A commentator said, "prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person's inner nature."

Its meaning was hidden from them

Luke 18:31-34
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

Yshua had explained to this disciples the things that must happen to Him, because that was God's mission and will for Him. It is not because He used complicated words that the disciples did not understand. They most likely not understand because Yshua was describing His own defeat, rather than victory that Messiah will bring. Yshua's defeat in man's eyes, is victory in God's eyes because by His death on the cross and the Resurrection, He defeated death and saved His people. We cannot understand God if we see things through our own eyes, instead we must simply trust Him that He is Lord and is in full control. It is no wonder He said childlike unquestioning faith is necessary to come to Him.

To teach and to preach in their cities

Matthew 11:1
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

Jesus told his disciples where to go and where not to go. He also told them the time when to go and when not to go. So it is with God and us today. We cannot presume to know where and when to go to spread the Word of His Kingdom. Sometimes it seems obvious to us, but God has different ideas. This is one part of our own training that we need to learn to wait for God and obey Him, even though sometimes we don't understand His priorities.

He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him

 Mark 6:45
 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.

In this passage, Yshua send his disciples on their own way, of course knowing that they will be faced with a terrible storm not long after. So here there can be two views, one is that God lead us into trouble train us, the other one is that the trouble is there already and God will save us. We may not know exactly which one it is, but there is no reason to think that God is strictly one way or the other. There will be times that bring trouble, and there are other times that God will test us. However, God brings us on His journey and if we obey Him, we will come out in better shape spiritually than before.

Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you

John 16:23
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 

When our Lord Yshua was with His disciples, He provided everything they need. The provisions that people gave to Yshua would extend to his travelling companion-disciples. Also other people could come to see Him in person. But once He was ascended, He promised the people that they God the Father will provide for them. All they need to do is to ask in His name, the name of Yshua. Though Yshua has left the Earth, He has not abandoned His followers. In fact the greatest gift to His followers after He left, is the Holy Spirit himself.

They should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead

Mark 9:9
He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

On the surface we often think that this only refers to the disciples, that Jesus did not want them to reveal His plans to others. However, this can also apply to ourselves. It can be advice to us that unless we are ready, perhaps we should refrain from telling others about such things as miraculous experience and so on. The telling of the Gospel should not be limited in this sense. In fact, it is often new converts who are usually most excited and want to tell the new faith in Jesus to others. However there are other deeper spiritual matters that God reveals to us, that we can only fully grasp with the maturity in walking with the Spirit, only then perhaps we should council others on those matters.

Jesus came into a place called Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36,38
Jesus came into a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples .... 'Stay here and watch with Me'

The experience of Jesus at Gethsemane is something which we could not understand. It is the prelude that leads to the glorious and Divine victory of our Lord Yshua on the cross, that only through it that we can be saved. Only three of His disciples were given the privilege to be eyewitnesses of the event. Although they may have fallen asleep or may have witnessed some part of it, they later shared their experience through Scriptures and through ministering to others. Jesus was not doubting the plan but was faced with the enormity of it. God showed His approval by the visitation of the two heavenly beings and the Transfiguration.

Are You going there again?

John 11:7-8
Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

The disciples were genuinely concerned about the safety of their Master. We would say the same thing for the person we love too. It is easy to forget that Jesus is the Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Powerful one which the whole Universe is created by.

Today, the believer have the Holy Spirit in us who also lead us according to the will of the Father. But as humans, sometimes we think that we know better than the living God, although we meant no offence. It takes practise to train ourselves to trust God completely and obey Him, even though his direction for us seems contrary to our opinions.

Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road and while He opened the Scriptures to us?

Luke 24:32
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Often when we hear an inspiring sermon and / or when gripped by the Holy Spirit to receive the message, we feel extremely powerful, like we have been fully charged again. These experiences however, or the situation itself, will not last long; a good sermon cannot continue forever - it will have an end.

So the challenge is then to apply the spiritual insights into our daily life and ministry to others. Most of the time, life goes on with routine tasks. However it is such times that those spiritual insights can be used effectively for our benefits or the benefits of others.

See, we have left all and followed You

Mark 10:28
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

Peter mentioned this to Jesus, probably wanted Him to understand the great sacrifices that he and his fellow disciples had made. Jesus assured them that they will be rewarded and there is an implication that such sacrifices are the least the disciples can do.

We also wondered that when people follow Jesus, is it for personal gain, even for their own personal salvation or something else. The something else should be the total surrender towards Jesus for His love's sake. To really know Jesus is to know His is the ultimate King and the response should be the total surrender to His Lordship. In doing this, we are surrendering all ourselves to Him and that includes all decisions and aspects of our life.

Do you now believe?

John 16:30-31
Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?"

In this scene, Jesus has explained things to his disciples using clear language rather than parables, and his disciples voiced their appreciation for that. They went further to proclaim their believe that Jesus is from God, since they now thought they understood His teachings. Then Jesus challenged them whether they really believed now?

We may hear and read the teachings of Jesus. We may even serve Him and His church in non-trivial and tiring ways. Or we may be continuing to live in our lives of sin. The question to reflect on, as our Lord Himself puts it, "Do you now believe?" Can we still fail if we believe? Can we still live outside His promises when we believe? Only the Lord Himself can answer those questions, and for that, we need to be close to Him

Rise, let us be going

Matthew 26:46
Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

In one of the key events in Jesus' life, the Transfiguration, the disciples who were with him fell asleep. Probably the disciples were meant to be witnesses to the whole Transfiguration which would be such a blessing on them. However their physical tiredness overcame them.

There may have been a brief rebuke of the disciples by Jesus, it is difficult to be certain without knowing the way the Lord spoke the words. Even if they were rebuked, Jesus did not dwell on their weaknesses. Instead He urged them to their next tasks - "let us be going".

The disciples must have regretted falling asleep at that time, and possibly in the future. But Jesus encouraged them to move on and they did. They did catch the last part of the Transfiguration and John wrote about that precious experience. They did not let a simple drawback or regret affect their lives negatively in the future. 

The twelve asked Him about the parable

Mark 4:10
But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

Continuing from the previous note, we again see that Jesus explained the parables to His disciples. Teaching in parables seems to be the normal way Jesus taught the crowd. However, as with most of the crowds, His disciples also did not understand. This account shows that the disciples did not hesitate to ask Jesus, they were willing to learn and did not have pride that prevented them from asking. 

Jesus spoke in parables for several reasons, firstly, His message is only intended for those He has chosen, secondly, His teachings are very confrontational to the religious views in the society, so He was being discreet at the appropriate time. 

Relating to us now, the Scripture may seem mysterious to us in certain parts, whereas other parts are very clear. God chooses to reveal the right things to us at His right time. We can just trust Him to show us. In addition, we can also be like the disciples and ask God for explanations and it would be His Spirit that leads us to ask the right questions at the right time. 

We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas again spoke in the synagogue and also to the Greeks. As a result many among the Jews and Greeks believed. But some of the unbelievers stirred up others and they tried to stone the apostles. So they fled to Lystra.

At Lystra, Paul saw that a crippled man had faith in him, so Paul called out and the man was healed. The people saw this and began to worship Paul and Barnabas as the greek gods. However Paul and Barnabas rightly rejected this and explained the truth about the living God. Then the religious unbelievers from Antioch and Iconium caught up with them at Lystra, and they stoned Paul until they thought he was dead.

Paul miraculously recovered from the stoning and they went to Derbe the next day. They preached at Derbe, and many were converted. After Derbe, they backtracked to the cities they had been before to encourage the believers. Again God's providence ensured that their enemies did not interfere this time.


The Journey is as follows:
Iconium - Lystra - Derbe - Lystra - Iconium - Antioch - Perga(Pamphylia) - Attalia - Antioch



Acts 14
At Iconium

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

Idolatry at Lystra

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

Stoning, Escape to Derbe

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people

This chapter illustrated the organization of the early church. Following Pentecost, the church grew tremendously. The burden of work on the apostles increased and they decided to appoint twelve people who will serve with the practical things. This will enable the apostles to focus on prayer and teaching the Word. Stephen was one of these early deacons. The apostles laid hands over them and prayed.

Stephen was described as having full of faith, the Holy Spirit and power. He was doing signs and wonders among the people, although not an apostle. This shows that any believer having faith and filled with the Holy Spirit should be able to perform these signs and wonders for the glory of God. Such was Stephen's influence that the authorities wanted to falsely accuse him to convict him. It is written that Stephen's face was like an angel.




Acts 6
Seven Chosen to Serve

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8 And Stephen, full of faith[b] and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous[c] words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth

As Jesus prays to God the Father, several aspects of His divinity is also revealed. Jesus has all authority. He glorifies the Father and vice versa. Jesus was with the Father before the world existed. It is interesting that Jesus says the Father has chosen the believers for Him and He has given them the Father's Words, and so they believed the Father through Jesus.

Jesus prayed to His Father for His disciples. Again there is a strong sense of ownership of the believers. They are chosen and set apart. Jesus prays that they will be protected when He is gone. His will is for them to remain in the world even though they are no longer of the world. Jesus prays earnestly that His believers will be sanctified by the Truth of God's Word.

Jesus also prays for the believers to be united in one, just as Jesus is united with the Father. The motive of this is also for the outsiders to see the unity so that they will come to believe in God. Finally Jesus prays that the love of the Father is also in the believer.





John 17
Jesus Prays for Himself

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should[a] give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.


Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me,[b] that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world,[c] I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept;[d] and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.


Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[e] believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”