Resignation, in the context of the disciples of Jesus Christ, refers to their willingness to surrender personal ambitions, desires, and even their lives for the sake of following Jesus and fulfilling His mission. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings and examples set forth in the New Testament.

Call to Discipleship

The call to discipleship inherently involves a call to resignation. Jesus made it clear that following Him required a complete commitment and a willingness to forsake all else. In Matthew 16:24-25 , Jesus states, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." This passage underscores the necessity of self-denial and the acceptance of suffering as part of the discipleship journey.

Examples of Resignation

1. Peter and Andrew: The resignation of personal and professional life is exemplified in the calling of Peter and Andrew. In Matthew 4:18-20 , Jesus calls them, and "at once they left their nets and followed Him." Their immediate response indicates a readiness to abandon their livelihood as fishermen to pursue a higher calling.

2. James and John: Similarly, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, demonstrated resignation by leaving their father and their fishing business. Matthew 4:21-22 records, "Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him." Their action reflects a willingness to prioritize their spiritual mission over familial and economic ties.

3. Matthew: The resignation of Matthew, a tax collector, is another significant example. In Matthew 9:9 , Jesus calls him, and "he got up and followed Him." Matthew's decision to leave a lucrative and secure position highlights the transformative power of Jesus' call and the readiness to forsake material wealth.

Teachings on Resignation

Jesus frequently taught about the cost of discipleship, emphasizing the need for complete surrender. In Luke 14:33 , He declares, "In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." This teaching reinforces the idea that true discipleship involves a total relinquishment of personal possessions and priorities.

The Rich Young Ruler

The encounter with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 serves as a poignant illustration of the challenge of resignation. The young man, despite his adherence to the commandments, is unable to part with his wealth when Jesus instructs him to "sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." His inability to resign his material wealth ultimately prevents him from becoming a disciple.

The Apostles' Resignation

The apostles, after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, continued to exemplify resignation through their unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, often at great personal cost. Acts 5:41 recounts how they rejoiced "that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Their willingness to endure persecution and hardship underscores their complete resignation to God's will.

Paul's Example

The Apostle Paul is a profound example of resignation. In Philippians 3:7-8 , he writes, "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things." Paul's life, marked by suffering and sacrifice, reflects his total resignation to Christ's service.

Conclusion

The concept of resignation among the disciples is a central theme in the New Testament, illustrating the depth of commitment required to follow Jesus. Through their examples and teachings, the disciples demonstrate that true discipleship involves a willingness to forsake all for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.Acts 21:14
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resignation
... we know where to find relief; we learn the spirit of resignation, and under ... Scarcely
had Jesus risen from his knees, and wakened the drowsy disciples, when the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/resignation.htm

Organizes a Church at Deland. Health Improves. Relapses. Starts ...
... Starts Home. Resignation. ... Works On. While at DeLand we gathered up the few scattered
Disciples in and around the town, and organized them into a church. ...
/.../chapter xviii organizes a church.htm

The Signs of Discipleship. (Matt. , vii. , 22. ) --Requisites, viz ...
... Self-Denial and Resignation (Luke, ix., 56, 62): Taking up the Cross. ... period in which
Christ had already imparted miraculous powers to the disciples, and had ...
/.../section 207 the signs of.htm

Meditation v. Jesus Goes up to Jerusalem.
... His disciples did not understand him, but thought that he was speaking of the Paschal
Lamb. No words can give an adequate idea of the love and resignation ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation v jesus goes up.htm

Gethsemane, the Oil-Press
... at leisure of heart to care for others, He can go back to the disciples. ... The sense
of Sonship underlies the complete resignation of the second prayer as of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/gethsemane the oil-press.htm

Angelic Comforters.
... desolate ones, who, like the Olivet disciples, lift the steadfast eye of faith
heavenwards, bending like them in the silent attitude of resignation and faith ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxii angelic comforters.htm

'Strong Crying and Tears'
... and in tones in which merciful reproach was blended with calm resignation.' So far ...
'It is enough' is obscure, but probably refers to the disciples' sleep, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/strong crying and tears.htm

Sermon for Whit Sunday
... Now because the dear disciples had this mind in them, that with hearty ... and death
of their beloved Master and His boundless love and resignation, and forsook ...
/.../xix sermon for whit sunday.htm

Bread in the Desert
... for the multitude as He had just shown Himself to be for His disciples. ... we doubt
that absolute self-devotion, infinite love, and pathetic resignation were in ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 30-46 bread in the.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... Saul was convinced of the truthfulness of the claims made by the disciples. ... He had
also witnessed the fortitude and cheerful resignation of many whom he had ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

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