Being An Encourager
(Series on encouraging – Part 9 Final Part )
Exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,”
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13
Jesus – Our Ultimate Role Model
Without a doubt, the Lord Jesus was the greatest disciple maker… ever. He was perfect in all that He did and was perfect in His disciple making. One of the things that Jesus used in the disciple making process that we would do well-to-do ourselves, is to use encouragement.
Multiple times in the New Testament, we are told to encourage one another. There is a great reason for this. Encouragement builds up and ultimately leads to the person being discipled fully embracing their identity in Christ.
Many times in the New Testament Jesus was often quoted saying “My hour has not yet come,” meaning the hour of His enemies, the hour He was to be arrested, tried, convicted and crucified. In Luke chapter 22, during the feast of unleavened bread, which is just before the Passover, The Lord Jesus institutes the Lord’s supper with His disciples in the upper room. Talking about the ultimate example and role model for encouraging others and denying yourself – here is a Man who is only hours away from the most painful and torturous method of execution during the Roman era. A Man who is about to be ridiculed, mocked, beat with a cat of nine tails, and nailed to a cross. They even ripped the beard from His face. Scripture tells us that He was unrecognizable as a man, and yet here He is with His disciples comforting them with His wisdom and strength, preparing them for His departure.
Even though all His disciples seemed concerned about was who among them would be the greatest in the kingdom (v 24), Jesus still encouraged them with promises that they would be eating and drinking at His table in His kingdom and sitting on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And although the Lord had to break the news to Peter that Satan had asked for him personally, that he may sift him like wheat, and that he would deny the Lord three times before the cock crowed, Jesus still strengthened him by letting him know that He has prayed to the Father on his behalf that his faith would not fail (v31-34). The Lord even told Peter to strengthen the brethren when he returns back to Him, after denying the Lord three times. And when Jesus says the words “when you have returned to Me,” that is His foreknowledge that Peter will return to Him. Peter’s faith would falter, but not fail. The Lord Jesus did not see the temporary lapse that was to come as a failure of faith, because He knew that Peter would return to Him. What words of encouragement.
Read
Luke 22:14-34.
Prayer
Father God, When I am discouraged, help me to look unto my Saviour and remember all that He endured for me. In His name, I pray. Amen.
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