Copy is…

Copy is a fun word. I read the Five Minute Friday word before going to sleep last night. I apparently marinated on the one word in my sleep because I awoke with my mind wandering down a variety of pathways.

Copy is complimentary as in requesting the recipe for a dish thoroughly enjoyed.

Copy is comforting as in generations of family members replicating a tradition.

Copy is security and effectiveness as in a well established system such as first responder training.

And on the negative side, to copy without permission is cheating.

*****

“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!””

Mark 1:17, Jesus

Ultimately though, I landed on copy as the definition of discipleship. This was the intention of Jesus as He invited each of the twelve disciples to follow Him. Jesus said, “Come, follow Me.”

Jesus taught that He only said and did what His Father in Heaven said and did. In turn, Jesus expected His followers to copy His example. And it wasn’t just the twelve. The longer Jesus taught and ministered, the more people followed Him.

At one point, Jesus gathered a few dozen ready and willing disciples, gave them final instructions and sent them out on a mission trip. As he sent them on their way, Jesus commissioned them with these words,

“Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.””

Luke. 10:16 NLT, Jesus

I don’t know how long this group was away in ministry, but I feel sure Jesus was talking to His Father about His friends out in the field. I imagine Jesus asked the Father and Holy Spirit to help them remember to copy the ministry they had seen and heard and experienced with Jesus.

This was important, a test of sorts, because Jesus would have to leave them to return to the Father, and the disciples would need to rely on the Spirit of God and their training. The Church would be multiplied by those who would copy Jesus and replicate copies for generations. This would only be possible by the indwelling Spirit of God unifying one copy, one body, and one Church.

“When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!””

Luke 10:17 NLT

I recommend regular reading through the gospels and Acts mixed in with the whole counsel of God’s Word for motivation to be a copy of Jesus. Replicate copies. Be a disciple maker. People are watching and hungry. Return to Jesus and give Him glory and honor for what He is doing in the lives of others. And receive the blessing of Jesus,

““Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.””

Luke 10:18-20 NLT, Jesus

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa

*****

Today I’m participating in a five minute writing challenge and the word Kate offered is copy.