by Debbie Wicker BCCC
The next pivotal moment in the Bible timeline is when Jesus begins His public ministry on Earth and calls His disciples. Before this, He lived in relative obscurity, spending His first thirty years of life as a private man, living with His parents.
Everything about Jesus’ earthly life is remarkable and inspiring. He came to show us how to live our best lives, teaching us how to navigate our time on Earth. As a teacher, He guided His disciples—and by extension, all of us—through His teachings, which we find in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Calling of the Disciples
Jesus didn’t choose wealthy or powerful figures to be His followers. Instead, He called ordinary people, including twelve men (and one woman), to teach them His ways. His mission was to reveal that He was the promised Messiah, and to show how we should live in light of His coming.
Take, for example, the story of Matthew’s calling:
*”As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:9-13
In this story, Jesus challenges the Jewish religious leaders by associating with those considered outcasts, showing that His mission was not about condemning people, but offering healing and mercy.
A Messiah They Didn’t Expect
The Jewish people had been waiting for their Messiah for centuries. They hoped for a warrior king who would lead them to freedom by overthrowing Roman oppression. But when Jesus, a simple carpenter from Nazareth, proclaimed Himself as the Messiah, the religious leaders were outraged. Jesus didn’t come as a mighty warrior, but as a teacher—someone who offered new ways of thinking and living.
This was not the Messiah they had envisioned. They wanted someone to fight their battles, to restore Israel’s political freedom. Instead, they got a teacher who pointed to spiritual freedom.
Eventually, their frustration grew to such an extent that they orchestrated His crucifixion. He was not the Messiah they expected—He didn’t fit their narrative of power, domination, and warfare.
Are We Any Different?
Are we, in some ways, like the Jewish leaders? How many of us truly desire a teacher, someone to guide us in life? Most of us want someone who will give us what we want, who won’t challenge us too much, and who won’t ask us to change. We want a God who will fulfill our wishes, rather than one who teaches us how to live according to His will.
We don’t want rules or structure. We often want to live life on our own terms, without any external authority telling us what to do. The Jewish leaders at the time felt the same way. They didn’t want to be taught by a humble man from Nazareth; they wanted to tell Him what to do.
When Jesus began performing miracles, however, they felt deeply threatened. They couldn’t deny the power behind His actions, but they rejected His message. This is often how we react when we hear about the amazing things God is doing in the lives of people around us. Sometimes we ignore it, or even deny it, because it challenges the way we live.
Sadly, some of us continue to live in this denial, and as a result, our lives often feel empty or unfulfilled. Jesus calls us to something better—to the life He came to teach us to live.
Jesus Shows Us How to Live Well
In the first four books of the New Testament, as Jesus teaches His disciples, we discover how much He loves them—and how much He loves us. His teachings are full of wisdom and insight into how to live a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and aligned with God’s will.
One of the most powerful examples of His teaching is found in the Sermon on the Mount:
*”Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'” — Matthew 5:1-12
This profound message, known as the Beatitudes, reveals the attitudes we need to adopt to live a blessed life. Jesus emphasizes humility, mercy, purity, and peace—all qualities that make us more like Him and bring us closer to God’s kingdom.
The Salt and the Light
Jesus also tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). These metaphors remind us of our role to influence the world for good, to bring light into darkness, and to preserve the world through our actions and example.
In everything He teaches, Jesus demonstrates how to live in harmony with God’s will. His words show us the attitudes and behaviors we need to live our best life possible.
Jesus Is Calling Us Just as He Called His Disciples
Just as Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and live according to His teachings, He is calling us today. His invitation is open to all of us: to read His words, listen to His voice, and live our lives in submission to Him and His Father, just as He did.
None of us can fully live up to this ideal, but that shouldn’t stop us from striving to do our best. Just like His disciples, we are given an example to follow—one that leads to a life of fulfillment, purpose, and eternal reward. This is the gift of a divine teacher who shows us exactly what we need to live our best life.
About the Author
Debbie Wicker is a Board Certified Christian Counselor who brings a thoughtful mental health perspective to the study of the Bible. With more than 15 years of counseling experience, Debbie helps individuals understand Scripture not only spiritually, but emotionally and psychologically as well.
Before entering counseling, Debbie was a partner in a Big 8 public accounting firm, where she built a successful career in management consulting. After a mid-life career change, she felt called to integrate faith and mental health — equipping others to grow spiritually while addressing real-life struggles with wisdom and compassion.
Through the-Bible.net, Debbie writes to help readers better understand God’s Word, human nature, and the transforming power of Christ.