Ben Wilson

They go running off a cliff into the sea, killing themselves. And the locals are not impressed by his power, but rather furious that he has killed their livestock and they chase him out of town. He heals paralytics, raises people from the dead, causes the blind to see. All this makes him a major celebrity. And everywhere he goes, he is like, yeah, he's a celebrity.

They go running off a cliff into the sea, killing themselves. And the locals are not impressed by his power, but rather furious that he has killed their livestock and they chase him out of town. He heals paralytics, raises people from the dead, causes the blind to see. All this makes him a major celebrity. And everywhere he goes, he is like, yeah, he's a celebrity.

He's just constantly surrounded by crowds of onlookers and followers. Some of them are hoping to be healed. Many of them just want to hear the words of this new and exciting prophet. This celebrity means that he has to steal away at times to either be alone or to be with his inner circle of disciples who had become known as the 12 apostles.

He's just constantly surrounded by crowds of onlookers and followers. Some of them are hoping to be healed. Many of them just want to hear the words of this new and exciting prophet. This celebrity means that he has to steal away at times to either be alone or to be with his inner circle of disciples who had become known as the 12 apostles.

Now, I mentioned before that he offers a compelling way of life, but it's not all giveaways. He's also very demanding of his closest followers. He demands absolute devotion, an incredible sacrifice. So for example, in one instance, one man wants to follow him, but he says, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

Now, I mentioned before that he offers a compelling way of life, but it's not all giveaways. He's also very demanding of his closest followers. He demands absolute devotion, an incredible sacrifice. So for example, in one instance, one man wants to follow him, but he says, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

And this is another lesson that you see from many of the greats. Great leaders are demanding, especially of their closest followers. So for example, when Jesus calls his inner circle, his 12 apostles, here's the commission he gives them.

And this is another lesson that you see from many of the greats. Great leaders are demanding, especially of their closest followers. So for example, when Jesus calls his inner circle, his 12 apostles, here's the commission he gives them.

Quote, and as you go preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely have you received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses.

Quote, and as you go preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely have you received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses.

nor script for your journey neither two coats neither shoes nor yet staves okay so in other words you need to go preach and you need to perform miracles i'm expecting you to perform miracles and you can't take anything with you no money no extra coat no tent nothing and he warns them behold i send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but beware of men for they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues

nor script for your journey neither two coats neither shoes nor yet staves okay so in other words you need to go preach and you need to perform miracles i'm expecting you to perform miracles and you can't take anything with you no money no extra coat no tent nothing and he warns them behold i send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but beware of men for they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues

and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for testimony against them and Gentiles.

and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for testimony against them and Gentiles.

Okay, so not only do I want you to go teach and perform miracles, not only do I want you to do it totally impoverished, take nothing with you, but by the way, I am telling you right now, you're going to be persecuted, you're going to be prosecuted as criminals for doing so, and you're literally going to be tortured.

Okay, so not only do I want you to go teach and perform miracles, not only do I want you to do it totally impoverished, take nothing with you, but by the way, I am telling you right now, you're going to be persecuted, you're going to be prosecuted as criminals for doing so, and you're literally going to be tortured.

Okay, so yes, he is offering his disciples a very cool and interesting way of life, but he is also really pushing them. In another passage of scripture, a man comes to him and asks, good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, if that will enter into life, keep the commandments. He said unto him, which ones? Jesus said, thou shalt not do murder.

Okay, so yes, he is offering his disciples a very cool and interesting way of life, but he is also really pushing them. In another passage of scripture, a man comes to him and asks, good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, if that will enter into life, keep the commandments. He said unto him, which ones? Jesus said, thou shalt not do murder.

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and mother. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Okay. So he's basically just going through the scriptures, you know, 10 commandments type stuff. And so the young man says to him, well, I've done all this. He says, quote, all these things have I kept for my youth. What lack I yet?

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and mother. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Okay. So he's basically just going through the scriptures, you know, 10 commandments type stuff. And so the young man says to him, well, I've done all this. He says, quote, all these things have I kept for my youth. What lack I yet?