“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were APPRENTICED to him, the COMMITTED, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down.” – Matthew 5:1 (MSB)

Being a disciple has a lot to do with staying with the Master. A lot of believers are only contented with being called “Christians” without being ready to do and live as expected. The call to be a DISCIPLE is a call to be SEPARATED from the crowd and be COMMITTED to Christ only. No one can be truly called a DISCIPLE OF CHRIST without making the decision to follow Christ and listen to Him.

It is sad and unfortunate in the Church today that there are many who are called Christians without being disciples. Being called a Christian is the result of being with Christ in His Word and living as a follower of Christ in perpetual obedience to His teachings.

In Matthew 5:1, the difference between the crowd and the other disciples was clearly known. The crowd could only go as far as they could without paying any huge price for following the Master but the disciples took extra steps by climbing the mountain to sit with Christ in order to listen to His teachings.

Being a disciple means paying the price to follow the Master. The question to ask you now is, “to what extent have you gone or willing to go to follow the Master?” It is possible to be in the Church and not be different from the crowd who are not ready to pay any price, but just enjoy the goodies that come with following Christ. Following Christ is not just about enjoyment but also about paying the price for following Him.

Dear Believer, are you still a disciple of Christ or you’ve stopped being an active disciple? How to know that you are still following Christ actively as a Disciple is that you are ready to go the extra mile with Christ, no matter how difficult it might be. If you are more interested in the pleasure and goodies of being a Christian than the sufferings, self-denials and selfless lifestyles associated with it, then you might be more inclined with the crowd than with Christ.

The Sermon on the Mount is not meant for the crowd, that is, those who are not ready to step up with Christ, but for disciples, those who are willing to live a separated life from the crowd. Which is your choice? Or which are you? Choose wisely and live as expected of a disciple.

Practical Application: Take some minutes today to think in retrospect if truly you have been committed to following the Lord. And if not, make the necessary adjustments.

Confession: I am a disciple of Christ, one has made the decision to be committed to Him alone. I walk closely with Him daily and I do not conform with the world. I stand distinct from the crowd.

Related Scriptures: Luke 6:20, John 14:15

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 5, Luke 6