"Who do you say that I am?"

 

It is difficult to think of the word disciple without bringing thoughts of the Savior and His faithful followers. The word itself was not coined by Jesus, but had been in use well before His mortal ministry. It comes from the Latin word discipulus which means "learner". It was once used to differentiate between the teacher and the pupil and was largely attributed to followers of popular philosophers or religious leaders.  When Jesus ministered on the Earth He invited all men and women to come and follow Him. He made disciples of fishermen, publicans, and even Pharisees (see Nicodemus). The discipleship which Jesus asks is different than that which a teacher might ask of a student. Christ does not want someone who is simply willing to listen and learn. This is very important, but Christ asks us to do more with the knowledge which we obtain.  Christ wants us to become transformed into new beings, "yoked" to Him in all things. He requires our full devotion, and in retu

 

       Today is Easter Sunday, a day to remember the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I woke up this morning with light bursting through the window. I looked outside to see a bright sun, a beautiful blue sky, and little yellow flowers poking up in the grass. I eventually made my way outside to take a little walk. Everything seemed to be bursting with life, from the trees, to the flowers, to the bees. I thought to myself, "even nature testifies of the Resurrection of Christ."       Summer comes to a close and with the arrival of Autumn, the leaves change colors and fall to the ground. Winter arrives and the trees become barren. Spring follows with flowers burrowing up through the ground and tree branches beginning to bud new leaves. There seems to be a renewal of life at this time.       In striking parallel to the change of the seasons, the Savior lived the summer of his life. He was then tried and crucified, signifying Autumn. His head fell as He gave up the ghost

 

     Jesus and Nicodemus       Nicodemus was a Pharisee at the time of Christ's ministry. He is described in the Book of John as "a ruler of the Jews." This man of high prestige comes to Jesus by night, and gives this declaration, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (John 3:2).      Nicodemus recognized that Christ was a teacher sent from God. He may not have had the knowledge and testimony that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, the great Jehovah, but he did, at the very least, have the beginnings of faith. His is a unique case. As a learned man and a ruler, he occupied a high position in society. As a Pharisee, he belonged to a group of strict law keepers and ceremonialists. As is constantly expressed in the scriptures, the Pharisees were a great obstacle to the Savior.      It would be easy to label Nicodemus a coward, unwilling to come to Christ in the day, and only me