What demand did Jesus make of the prospective
disciple in Luke 9:23?
In Luke 9:23, Jesus made the demand of prospective disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. Jesus was emphasizing the need for sacrificial commitment, selflessness, and a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of following Him.
followers?
Jesus made various demands of his prospective followers. Here are some of the key requests that Jesus made:
1. Repentance: Jesus called upon people to repent and turn away from their sinful ways. He emphasized the need for humility, acknowledging one's need for forgiveness and turning back to God.
2. Belief and Faith: Jesus demanded belief in Him as the Son of God and placing faith in His teachings. He asked his followers to have trust in God and believe in His power and authority.
3. Denial of Self: Jesus taught his followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This involved giving up their own desires, ambitions, and self-centeredness, and instead, prioritize serving and obeying God.
4. Obedience: Jesus expected obedience to His commandments and teachings. He taught that love for God was demonstrated through obedience to His words and instructions.
5. Love for Others: Jesus emphasized the importance of loving others and showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. He taught that one should treat others as they themselves want to be treated.
6. Perseverance: Jesus warned his followers about the challenges they would face for following Him and encouraged them to endure and persevere through hardships and persecution.
Overall, Jesus demanded commitment, faith, humility, selflessness, obedience, love for others, and a willingness to endure difficulties in order to be his followers.
To determine what demand Jesus made of prospective followers, we can refer to the Christian scriptures, particularly the New Testament. Jesus outlined several demands or requirements for those who wished to follow him.
One of the most well-known demands Jesus made was found in Luke 9:23, where he said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Here, Jesus demanded that those who desired to follow him must be willing to deny their own selfish desires and ambitions, be ready to face hardships and challenges (symbolized by taking up one's cross), and commit to following his teachings and example consistently.
Another demand Jesus made, often referred to as the Great Commission, is found in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus told his disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This demand required Jesus' followers to actively spread his teachings and make new disciples by sharing the Gospel and baptizing new believers.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus also emphasized the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, as well as loving one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-39). This demand of love encompasses both personal devotion to God and treating others with love and compassion.
To fully understand the demands Jesus made, it is recommended to study the Bible, particularly the New Testament where his teachings and instructions are recorded.