Jesus’ disciples were called disciples because they went everywhere with him for 3 years. In Mark 8, Jesus’ disciples are spending days just walking from one location to another: 25 miles from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi. For you Pennsylvanians, that's like traipsing back and forth from Gettysburg to Chambersburg on foot. They saw him feed 4,000 people, react to nasty Pharisees, teach and love. They lived with him. They saw how he reacted to every situation. They listened to his teachings. They would have picked up his mannerisms and way of talking. You know how we pick up little phrases from each other? I still say, "Oh SNAP!" because I picked it up from my kids. They say that phrase is SO 2009 (or some era previous to 2011-- I can't keep up). But I keep saying it out of habit. Can you imagine having automatic Jesus-style-reactions and Jesus-in-jokes just from spending so much time with him?!
This is what I need to do as his disciple! I need to walk with Jesus so closely and with such attention that I pick up his mannerisms. So that I would respond like he does... that I would begin to think like he does... to love like he does...to look at life and people like he does. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.“ (Mark 8:34) Follow him. That’s what I need to do. Not just glance at him now and then. But walk where he walks. Listen to every word he says. Focus on watching him. Examine how he reacts to people & situations and then emulate him. The great thing is, that I have His power and spirit helping me to do this! I am not on my own. Praise God!
We do tend to sound like the people we spend the most time with. Wouldn't it be great to say something, and have someone respond, "Oh wow! You sound just like Jesus!"
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