Discipling with a new identity

No one can aptly answer questions
on the essence of being, without a direct and intentional relationship
with Jesus Christ. He calls it, being Born
Again. It is in entering into this relationship with Jesus that the
journey towards discovering why and who we are begins.

The reality of our changed identity
is liberating. Years ago, slaves purchased their freedom with cash or in kind.
Till date, people’s privileges or its lack defines them.

But we become members of
Christ’s family and assume a great heritage as children of God only by believing
the finished work of Christ.

We immediately begin to enjoy
divine attributes and sonship rights
with Jesus; though our understanding of the total package may be limited. We
may not look it in the beginning, but the fullest potential is waiting to be
called forth from within, with the help of discerning leaders around us.

In John
1:42, Andrew introduced his brother Simon (Peter’s original name) to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,”‘You are Simon son of John. You will
be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter)” The name Cephas
(Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) means ‘rock’. As recorded in the Gospels, this
Peter was anything but a rock.

He capped it when he thrice denied
his close friend and Master, Jesus; after boasting he would die for Him (Mark
14:29-31; 66-72). We can all identify with that can’t we?

I noticed Jesus called Simon’s
name twice (Luke
22:31-34), kind of revealing His concern for this broken identity.
But He gently reassures him and affirms his leadership position while exposing
Satan’s prayer request to have him and the entire team as his play toys.

I imagine that the calmness
in Jesus’ voice and the look on His face drowned the import of that very
shocking prophecy about Peter’s denial.

Jesus renamed Simon and the Zebedee
brothers deliberately. He gives this inner circle of friends a new identity and
then sets about working on them to produce the character that is in line with
that identity. It takes a special relationship to truly rename another man, outside a
master-slave environment.

As I plan and pray for my time with
old and new disciples in Yei when I arrive there in a few days, I’m reminded
that when Jesus looks at us He sees beyond what or who we were. He sees and
longs to relate with us based on what and who He says we are and can become as
we yield to His leadership.

Those men were with Jesus for a
little over three years. He managed their childishness, chided their
faithlessness, tolerated their ignorance and corrected their misconceptions
with His eyes set on the end result.

Do you see beyond what they say
and what they see?

Leaning heavily on Abba’s grace,
I’ll once again give this discipleship thrust in Yei my best shot. I’m looking forward to connecting with some people at a whole new level on this trip.

The resurrection of Jesus was the
greatest event in all history. But without daily infallible proofs of changed
lives (achieved by making disciples), Easter would have been long forgotten.

Lord, when tomorrow comes with
demands for the worth of today’s tasks, may my service and focus reveal your
patience and matchless wisdom.

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora