Are You The Expected One?

Look Back
It is undeniable that Jesus of Nazareth, a figure of immense influence, walked the lands of Israel 2,000 years ago. His popularity, particularly in the early days of His public ministry, was a testament to His unique presence and power. Jesus delivered hope for ordinary people, those grappling with the challenges imposed by the competing power structures of 1st-century Israel.  
 
Look Up
Huge crowds had gathered at the Jordan River near Jericho to hear what John the Baptist said. John (Yochanan) had many disciples. When John identified the Messiah, he secured a deep commitment from his disciples to leave John and follow Jesus. This marked a significant transition, as John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. One day, Jesus appeared in the crowd to be baptized by his cousin, John. Jesus' public ministry was about to begin. John's was about to end.
 
After John was arrested, some of his disciples continued to cling to him rather than follow the One he identified as they had committed to do. Read Luke 7:18-23. John's "would-be" disciples of Jesus had failed to launch. From prison, John sent two disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Expected One, or should we seek another?"

Jesus had been healing people with deadly diseases and restoring those who were blind, deaf, and lame. Demons were being cast out. Dead people were being given life again! When John's disciples asked, "Are you the Expected One?" Jesus pointed them to a passage they were all familiar with. "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them." Compare Luke 7:22 with Isaiah 35:5-6.

Look Forward
Today, young would-be disciples remain unconvinced that Jesus is the Expected One. Surveys demonstrate that they are largely uninterested in attending church. The question is, "Why?" Most report they have observed church attendees doing very little of what Jesus told His Church to do. It's not that they are opposed to Jesus; they are put off by institutional hypocrisy. "Do as I say" is not nearly as impactful as seeing and learning to do what Jesus commanded. They are tired of listening to others talk about Jesus. Young people are ready to follow those who walk the talk and participate in what Jesus has continued to do on earth, building His Church through HIs committed disciples.

Authentic Jesus' followers make a difference in the lives of those in need. The power that raised Jesus from the dead continues to reside in all who believe in His death, burial, and resurrection. Since the birth of the Church in Acts 2, Jesus' disciples have studied Him, practiced what He did, and taught others to follow Him. It's time for the Spirit of God to be unleashed where people are hurting and dying today.
 
At Disciple Daily, we are committed to providing the space and a place for a few qualified young men and women to learn what biblically mandated discipleship is all about. If you know someone who could be a world changer with the right training to

• help broken people see Jesus,
• give new life to those who are dead,
• preach the Good News through the big story of God, and
• teach those who know Jesus to follow Him as a disciple

The Fellowship Team at Disciple Daily might be their next big step. We are now taking applications for the 2024/2025 Fellowship Team. Please share this everywhere.

Follow this link to learn more about The Fellowship Team program and an online application.

Arlie & Keith
Ezra 7:10 - Study, Practice, Teach

P.S. - The Fellowship program costs about $25,000 per team member annually. If you want to financially support the next team with a monthly donation of any amount, we promise to use it wisely!