Date: 18/1/98
Speaker: David Meiklejohn
Text:

The Inner Circle

There were several circles of followers of Jesus:

Matthew 4v23-25: All the people that followed Jesus about
John 6v60-66: Those that believed in him and followed him as the son of God
Mark 3v13-15: The twelve chosen disciples
Luke 8v49-56: Peter, James and John

Where would you place yourself? Outside the circles? As someone who's heard of Jesus but doesn't believe? As a believer? As someone who's close to Christ?

Observations

These three were closer to Jesus than any others:
- Mark 3 - given special names
- Always mentioned first in lists of the disciples
- Taken in to see Jairus' daughter healed (Luke 8)
- Taken up to see transfiguration (Matthew 10)
- Taken to the garden of Gethsemane
The closer we get to Jesus, the fewer people there are
It doesn't get easer the closer you get: it's uphill

Examination

What was it that made these three closer to Jesus? What characterised them?

Peter

Peter was bold, dynamic. He was a doing person. He made mistakes, blew hot and cold, but he was enthusiastic. Whenever he made a mistake, he picked himself up and carried on. He was the one who walked on water, yet he was the one who denied Christ three times.

John

john was the youngest disciple, and seems to be a very caring person. He looked up to jesus adoringly, loved him and was amazed that Jesus loved him back.

James

We don't hear much about James except when he's mentioned with his brother. Perhaps he worked in the background more. We do find out that he was the first of the twelve to be killed for their faith.

What did they have in common?

A willingness to serve
A willingness to face danger and opposition
Wanted to be close

What did the other disciples think? Perhaps they were jealous of these three. They should have strived to be as close.

Questions

Where are you? Are you a hanger-on, are you involved or are you committed?
What way are you going? Closer or further away? It's easier to drift away.
Why did Jesus have this inner circle? Was it favouritism?
- No, it was the disciples attitudes that put them there.
How do you get close? Perhaps thinking about closeness in a human relationship will help.
- Spend time with them
- Praise them
- Give them gifts
- Be interested in them
- Do things to please them
If you're in love, people will notice a difference. Do they?
Who is your first love? Is it God, or friends, family, job, education, car, computer?

If you put God first, he will pull you up that slope towards him. Life will get harder, but you will become happier, more content with where you are.

Next - Stepping Out in Faith