Disciples Challenged

The 12 Disciples and Their Challenges

The challenges of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ are quite enormous. The 12 disciples of Jesus Christ faced great challenges. A disciple should remember that he must undergo persecution to obtain everlasting life.

Furthermore, persecution is not the only negative aspect; erroneous doctrines and temptations combine with persecution to make discipleship difficult. Thus, despite the overwhelming promises or benefits, discipleship has a second facet: difficulties.

This article concentrates on the primary obstacles and challenges of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ that confront discipleship or attempt to prevent the disciples from following Jesus Christ.

Temptation

And He spent forty days in the wilderness, tempted by Satan while with the wild animals, and the angels tended to Him. (Matthew 1:13) (Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:2)

The devil tempted Jesus Christ on several occasions.

“A servant is not greater than his master,”

Jesus once stated to His followers. They will persecute you if they persecuted Me. They will keep your word if they kept mine.” (Matthew 15:20) Jesus was referring to the fact that what He was feeling and what His followers were about to experience would be identical; that is, His disciples would experience the same joy and anguish that He was experiencing.

As a result, if Jesus was tempted, His disciples would be tempted as well. The question remains, though, what or who gives temptation? – Who tempts Jesus’ disciples? The devil is the one who tempts – (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2.) How does he manage to accomplish it? He concentrates on the wants of the disciples to tempt him to transgress – but each one is tempted when he has pulled away and is seduced by his desires. (James 1:14; James 1:15)

What do you think? Temptation’s underlying aim is to cause the disciple to sin. Don’t forget that sin has always been the cause that separates man from God and once separated from God, man is in a condition of spiritual death. It is written – Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:15)

Is Persecution One of the Challenges of the 12 Disciples?

Persecution is the culmination of numerous negative events, such as hatred, death, arbitrary arrest, torture, jail, and so on, all on behalf of Jesus Christ. Jesus was forthright enough to warn His disciples that such a thing would occur. Let us look at some of the various types of persecution outlined by Jesus

Hatred from the world

Jesus Christ prayed for His disciple in John 17 at some time in history, knowing that His days were numbered. What He said was more of an instruction than a prayer. While praying, He foretold some repercussions or problems that His disciples would face as a result of Him. He stated unequivocally that His disciples will face hostility.

I gave them Your word, and the world despised them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (Matthew 17:14)

Then they will hand you up to tribulation and murder you, and you will be despised by all nations for the sake of My name. (Matthew 24:9)

Death

One day, on the Mt. of Olives, Jesus was teaching His disciples about what was yet to come during the end times, and he told them about the persecution they were about to suffer, saying,

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake… (Matthew 24:9) Aside from hatred and death, Jesus also mentioned that His disciples would face various kinds of persecution such as arrest, interrogation, imprisonment, etc;

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. (Luke 21:12). Not long after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the disciples began to experience what was said beforehand:

The Permeation of False Teaching

In terms of destructive effectiveness, even persecution with all of its brutalities is inferior to erroneous doctrines. False teaching has accomplished what persecution, hatred, and jail could not. False doctrine has infiltrated, confounded, deceived, and devastated the church for ages, and followers have battled amid its pitfalls to this day.

False teachings have left an indelible imprint on Christianity by causing several schisms, and schisms have given rise to various sects and sets of doctrines throughout Christendom. Arianism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christadelphians, and other sects are the result of erroneous doctrine.

Furthermore, erroneous doctrines are more successful than any other element in driving disciples astray. Throughout the years, Jesus’ disciples have had to deal with false doctrine. False teaching was common even in the days of the apostles. It appeared, perplexed the disciples, and had to be extinguished.

The all-knowing Jesus foresaw it coming, so He warned His followers ahead of time about the oncoming spread of false doctrines created by false teachers, false prophets, and so on, stating

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves.”
(Matthew 7:15)

Given its track record throughout the ages, we may now name false teaching as one of the primary problems for followers. It has, to a large part, encouraged defection over the years, leading many followers astray and ending their discipleship prematurely.

Persecution, false doctrines, and temptation are all designed to either deter the disciple from following Jesus or to lead the disciple down a path that will lead to his damnation. However, whether or not these trials are successful is determined by the disciple himself.

The disciple has the potential to overcome them; Jesus, our Lord, and Master expect you to overcome them.

Self-imposed Challenges of the 12 Disciples

In terms of serving God, every disciple and Christian is an enemy to oneself or herself since some of the obstacles we will experience in following Jesus will originate from within. Our human nature has flaws and pleasures that make following Jesus Christ difficult. These variables, if not carefully checked, have the potential to take us off the road of following Jesus as Christians and disciples.

Moral Weaknesses

There were twelve disciples of Jesus, and one of them, Judas Iscariot, could not remain a follower of Jesus for the rest of his life because he strayed and became an apostate. Why? Though all of Jesus’ followers had faults, Judas Iscariot was the only one who surrendered himself to his weakness, and the devil finally led him astray into heresy and ruin by holding him by his weakness.

Judas Iscariot had an uncontrollable weakness: greed – the desire for money – and he became a lover of money. The treasurer of Jesus’ team was Judas Iscariot. He began to demonstrate his hunger for money by taking money from the money box that was entrusted to his care.

However, the coins he stole from the money box did not appear to be sufficient for him; he appeared to desire even more money. His need for more led him to perceive his Master, Jesus Christ, as a large offer to be accepted. Judas Iscariot’s avarice and thievery allow the devil to enter his life (Luke 22:3; Luke 22:4; Luke 22:5). The devil then urged him to go to Jesus’ adversaries – the chief priests – and betray Him.

When Judas Iscariot went to betray Jesus, he said to them,

“What are you prepared to offer me if I surrender Him to you?”
Judas Iscariot

And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15

Judas Iscariot was all about the money; he was preoccupied with making more money by any means necessary, whether fair or foul. He had successfully sold Jesus and now had 30 silver pieces to add to the money he had stolen from the money box. His treachery eventually led to sorrow, and the remorse led to his death. Furthermore, Judas Iscariot became an apostate upon his treachery.

All of Jesus’ disciples connect with the fallen disciple, Judas Iscariot, in that we all have flaws. It is not important to have flaws; what is important is to identify and address our flaws. Having weaknesses is not a big deal; what matters is checking our weaknesses. We should ever be mindful that weaknesses are a major challenge to disciples for they can ruin our relationship with God and we will no longer be reckoned as disciples.

Self-indulgence

God despises sin, and it has always been the element that divides man from God. One of the reasons it is difficult for us to quit sinning is that certain immoral acts are pleasurable to our senses. Self-indulgence refers to the habit of engaging in immoral acts that we like or find pleasurable.

Most Christians and followers find it difficult to give up cyclic music since the beat and/or lyrics appear to thrill them so much. In modern Christianity, having sex before marriage has become a frequent and pleasant sin. Extravagance, aggression, vindictiveness, fornication, drunkenness, adultery, being litigious, lasciviousness, lustfully staring at the opposite sex, and so forth, are all common indulgences of many disciples in the modern church.

We should bear in mind that self-indulgence is a sin and sin ruins our relationship with God. To be able to be a disciple or follow Jesus Christ for life, self-indulgence is a challenge you need to overcome.

Conclusion Challenges of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ

Challenges of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ such as False teachings, temptation, and persecution stalk the disciple every day of their life. And all three are entirely inspired by the devil. His motive for bringing them into the disciple’s life is to try to stop him or mislead him from following Christ Jesus.

He begins throwing these challenges at him right from the day he decided to follow Jesus as a disciple. Most certainly, as a disciple of Jesus, these challenges will stalk your life, but what matters is that you have what it takes to overcome them.

However, moral weakness and self-indulgence have challenged a disciple and Christian pose on himself. Also, the devil is very good at harnessing our weaknesses to his advantage and our disadvantage.

FAQs about the Disciples of Jesus

What were the main challenges faced by the disciples?

The disciples faced numerous challenges, including:
Temptation: Like Jesus, they were tempted by the devil to stray from their faith. This temptation targeted their desires and aimed to lead them into sin, separating them from God.
Persecution: They experienced hatred and opposition from the world for their beliefs. This included verbal abuse, physical attacks, imprisonment, and even death.
False Teachings: They had to contend with misleading doctrines that threatened to distort the true message of Christianity. These false teachings could cause division and lead disciples astray.
Internal Weaknesses: They struggled with personal flaws, such as greed in Judas Iscariot’s case. These weaknesses could make it difficult to follow Jesus and could even lead to betrayal.
Self-Indulgence: They faced the temptation to engage in pleasurable but sinful activities. This could damage their relationship with God and hinder their ability to be true disciples.

How did the disciples spread the Gospel?

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples travelled extensively, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. They preached in various regions, including Judea, Samaria, and even to Gentile nations. Their methods included:
Preaching: They proclaimed the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection, emphasising salvation through faith.
Teaching: They instructed new believers in Christian doctrine and how to live a life pleasing to God.
Miracles: They performed miraculous signs and wonders, demonstrating God’s power and confirming their message.
Personal Testimony: They shared their own experiences with Jesus, inspiring others to believe.

Did all the disciples die as martyrs?

According to tradition, all the disciples except John died as martyrs. However, historical accounts are not always clear on the specific details of their deaths.
James, the son of Zebedee, was the first apostle to be martyred, executed by King Herod Agrippa I.
Peter is believed to have been crucified upside down in Rome during Nero’s persecution.
Accounts of the deaths of the other disciples vary, with some being stoned, crucified, or killed by the sword.
John is believed to have died of natural causes in Ephesus, having faced exile on the island of Patmos.

Were any of the apostles married?

The Bible explicitly mentions that Peter was married, as there are accounts of Jesus healing his mother-in-law. While there is debate among scholars, some believe James, the son of Alphaeus, may have been Jesus’ brother, implying he was also likely married. Paul, though not one of the original twelve, wrote extensively about marriage and singleness, indicating he was likely single during his ministry.

What were the roles of some key disciples?

Peter: A natural leader, often acting as a spokesperson for the disciples. He was known for his boldness and impulsiveness, but also his deep love for Jesus.
James and John: Sons of Zebedee, known as the “Sons of Thunder” due to their fiery personalities. James became the first apostle to be martyred, while John wrote the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation.
Matthew: A former tax collector who became a meticulous record-keeper and wrote the Gospel of Matthew. His account focuses on Jesus as the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy.
Thomas: Initially known for his skepticism, he famously doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw him with his own eyes. His story highlights the importance of experiencing Jesus personally.
Judas Iscariot: The disciple who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His tragic story serves as a warning about the dangers of greed and the consequences of unrepentant sin.

What was the significance of the disciples being sent out in pairs?

When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, he instructed them to travel in pairs. This had several benefits:
Protection: Travelling in pairs provided safety and support in a time when travel was dangerous.
Mutual Encouragement: The disciples could encourage and strengthen one another in the face of opposition and hardship.
Witness and Confirmation: Having two witnesses to events lent credibility to their testimony and ensured that the message was accurately conveyed.

Why did Jesus choose ordinary men to be his disciples?

Jesus’ selection of seemingly ordinary men to be his disciples highlights several important truths:
God’s Power in Weakness: God often chooses the weak and humble to accomplish his purposes, demonstrating his power through their limitations.
Transformation through Discipleship: Jesus’ disciples were not perfect individuals, but they were transformed through their relationship with him and their commitment to following him.
Accessibility of the Gospel: The fact that Jesus chose ordinary people from diverse backgrounds underscores that the Gospel is available to everyone, regardless of their social standing or past mistakes.

What can we learn from the disciples’ example today?

The lives of the disciples offer numerous lessons for Christians today:
Commitment to Christ: We should be wholly devoted to following Jesus, even when it is costly.
Dependence on God: We must rely on God’s strength and guidance in the face of challenges.
Sharing the Gospel: We are called to share the message of salvation with others, both through our words and actions.
Growth in Discipleship: We should constantly strive to grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
Perseverance in Faith: We must persevere in our faith even when facing opposition and hardship.

Resources Challenges of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ

https://salvationcall.com/challenges-disciples/
https://ministry127.com/christian-living/5-problems-disciples-have
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/classic-problems-that-the-disciples-faced-john-hamby-sermon-on-growth-in-christ-48025
https://kgbc.us/2018/08/29/five-challenges-of-following-jesus/
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-greatest-challenge-in-discipleship-today