Disciple or Apostle?

Would you rather be a disciple or an apostle? I am sure you think that is a very curious question, and in some ways it is. In fact, the choice might not even be yours, but it is an interesting analogy. Disciple is a very nice term and a great title that was used of those that followed Christ. Apostle was a more select term. But when I look at the definition of the two, I would suggest that most of us unknowingly prefer to be a disciple more than an apostle. Who is a disciple? Someone who believes the right things. Who is an apostle? Someone sent on a specific mission. Do you see the difference? Get ready for some contrasts as I speak on Jesus and his beginning as the Messiah. What does that mean? The title - "What's Next?"

Let me share this story with you. There is an old story that when Jesus arrived in heaven after the ascension, a member of the heavenly hosts asked him who he had left in charge and what institution he had placed to carry out his work now that he was no longer walking the earth himself. Jesus replied, "Well, I have left about 120 followers." The heavenly host member looked at who those 120 were and said, "That's it? They aren't a very impressive band. Their leaders are just fisherman, tax collectors and the like. What if they fail? What's Plan B?" And Jesus replied, "If they fail there is no Plan B; I have no other plan." Jesus left about 120 people, barely the size of a small congregation. That small entourage, empowered by the Holy Spirit, accomplished God's purpose and it's still going on today.