JESUS’ DOUBLE
Tenth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.
Matthew 10:24a: “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher.”
Plato is tagged with the label, the “Father of philosophy [fil-os-o-fee]. He lived a relatively short life around 420-447, B.C.E. in Athens, Greece. Plato taught topics related to the meaning of life. His writings shaped Western-culture thinking. Plato’s best student was Aristotle [AR-is-TOT-l]. Aristotle became Plato’s disciple—or who learned then taught life concerns—that he learned from Plato.
Aristotle embraced Plato’s values and viewpoints, attitudes and ideas. He built “gymnasiums”. The original gymnasiums [jim-NAAZ-i-ums] were training centers where Aristotle taught Plato’s thinking and logic. The first gymnasiums were places of learning instead of where sports were taught and competitions played.
Aristotelian logic is the system of thinking that Aristotle passed on to students in “Plato’s teaching” gymnasiums. The fun part to learn is that students trained in Plato’s system of beliefs were “gymnatized”. [Jim-NAT-i-zed] is the Greek verb that stems from the noun gymnasium.
This learning system became successful to “disciple” others. So the Greeks passed on their thinking (and language) to people who were not Greek. The cultural movement was termed “Hellenization” [hel-len-i-ZA-shon]. The whole Greco-Roman world adapted Plato’s Aristotelian logic.
Later, gymnasiums became known as academies [a-KAD-a-mees]—or central places for learning—like universities and colleges.
That is the evolution of the word, “disciple”. The Bible’s New Testament added a spiritual perspective to teach what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Christians today are also called to be disciples of Jesus. See the lesson linked below to see how the world treats Jesus and His followers.
Discipleship involves “discipline”. Christians deny themselves what sins the world—or what the flesh—tempts people to enjoy. We’re students who are works-in-progress. Learning the teachings of Jesus transforms people to love others and for humble service. Following Jesus changes a person’s values more than Plato shaped Western culture.
We recognize patterns of Christian thought and living. We understand the difference between being in the world from being of the world (John 17:16). Believers-in-Christ are new creations who live for God instead of for selfish ambition (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Disciples follow and stand beside Master Jesus learning His trade thoroughly.
Take Home Nugget
Modern-day use of what this devotion aims to teach is that closely following Jesus makes us clones. [Klones] are exact replicas of the original. We’re Christians whose identity is often mistaken for the real thing.
Holy Father, teach me how to be Jesus’ disciple, in Whose name I pray. Help me to follow Jesus closely. Fill me with Your love and what You want. Amen.
Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans. February 19, 2018. Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com
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