“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -- John 13:34-35
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Jesus called the first disciples with the simple invitation to "Follow me." In time, Jesus was becoming recognized as a dynamic teacher and healer who embodied the concept of radical hospitality and welcome. Because of this, Jesus was swarmed by people following him in hopes of seeing his marvelous works.
It was at this point that Jesus began to emphasize the more challenging aspects of becoming a disciple. Jesus began challenging his disciples to deny themselves and to sacrifice. He began asking his disciples to love as he loved, even strangers, even their enemies. Jesus even challenged his disciples to follow him to Jerusalem, where he would be executed, and claimed that all who would call themselves disciples would need to take up a cross of their own. In short, after welcoming these disciples, Christ was calling them to "go deeper." Not coincidentally, "Deepening in faith" is the second piece of our vision statement at Bread of Life. Deepening in faith takes on many forms, but it is our intention to be a community that not only welcomes, but a community that is committed to the formation of disciples who form meaningful relationships and are committed to deepening their life in Christ. |
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” -- Luke 9:35
"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
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