To be chosen as one of Jesus' disciples was a great privilege. Jesus didn't lay great burdens on his followers as many other teachers did. He treated them as friends and they shared every aspect of his life with him. He told his disciples to expect persecution, that when this time comes, God would provide them with the appropriate words. He also taught them the way of obedience to God and the conditions of discipleship*. In Luke's gospel, the writer informs us of the many parables and words that Jesus used to teach his disciples the way to live according to the way of God.
             Luke starts with his introduction of the Twelve Apostles in 6:13-16, the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to preach the gospel. Luke then moves into the Beatitudes. Here, Luke gives us the first teaching of the conduct of discipleship. Jesus' words are meant for his followers; those who realise their poverty in God's sight, who have an appetite for spiritual truth and those who mourn from the evil they find in their heart. His message is clear, look beyond what life offers now, the Kingdom of God is awaiting and to treat others as God has treated us. Luke enforces this condition of loving our enemies and not judging them, even if they persecute us in 14:26.
             In 17:1-10, Luke lends us foresight into three conditions of discipleship; forgiveness, faith and duty. Luke tells us how Jesus said to his disciples to rebuke sin but if the sinner repents, forgive him. No matter how many times he sins, if he repents just as many, he is forgiven. The next verse talks about faith. Jesus uses a story about a mulberry tree to explain that with extraordinary faith anything is possible, as long as you believe. Luke talks about this again in 12:22-31. Here, Jesus talks about not being concerned with the minor things of life, instead be concerned about God's kingdom, as God will always provide for you in other ways. This emphasises the message of fai...