At the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, he commissioned his followers to carry on his work – making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). This commissioning was not just for the eleven disciples or his more extensive followers. It is given to his church. It is our responsibility today to make disciples of all nations. But just what is a disciple?
It is essential to know just what we are commissioned to produce. Without that knowledge, how can we know if we are faithful to his commission?
What Is a Disciple?
The word used in the New Testament for disciple is mathētēs. (mah-ta-tas) This word means learner disciple and is a technical term for the followers of Jesus. It is also used for the followers of John the Baptist, Moses, and the Pharisees.
In the New Testament world, a disciple would join themselves to a rabbi or teacher, becoming a part of his school. This involved leaving behind their known life and spending all their time with their rabbi. It was like going off to college.
What you see in Jesus and his disciples was typical of the rabbi/disciple relationship in New Testament Judea. Being a disciple was a full-time occupation. Those disciples were called to leave home and occupation behind and follow Jesus, learning what he had to teach them.
Being a disciple was not an end in itself. A disciple was ultimately expected to follow in their rabbi's footsteps, becoming a rabbi himself. And, in turn, teaching other disciples what they had learned and were learning.
Many who call themselves Christians are not a disciple but a fan of Christianity.
A fan sits on the sideline and cheers on their team. They may invest some time in learning about their team. And they may invest in purchasing some of the appropriate swag so that they can fly the team colors. But the fan watches the performance from the stands or the game on TV. But they do not get directly involved. And if their team disappoints them, they may switch their allegiance to one they find more satisfying.
A fan may know a lot about their team and its members. They can rattle off team and player stats. They may have detailed opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of team members. And they enjoy discussing the recent game and player performance with other fans.
A player on that sports team is quite different, though. The team and game are their life. They spend time in conditioning, learning the playbook, and in practice. On game day, they are down on the field, executing the plays drawn up for them by their coach. They each have their part to play in the game, and each one is important to the outcome. Unlike the fan who sits and watches, the team player is actively involved in the game.
Many so-called Christians are no more than secular humanists. So you go to church to learn, to feel like you're part of a community, to be entertained, or to get a feeling of worship. If your church doesn't sufficiently fill these needs, or it does, but getting up on Sunday morning is just too much of a cost for the benefit, then you either drop out or fall into the ever-prevalent pattern of a "church visitor." This is the culture of the consumer church and, much like consumerism, comes out of a culture of humanism that places a high value on self-gratification.
The Call to Discipleship
Jesus called twelve men to follow him and be his disciples. They did not just cheer Jesus on in the work he did. These men left behind their nets, tax booth, and whatever else they had done before, and they got involved in the game, following Jesus wherever he went and learning all he had to teach them. And, in the end, he told them to make disciples.
So, were these twelve men unique as disciples? Their specific calling to travel with Jesus and establish the church was special. But their call to be disciples was not.
In the Great Commission, we are told to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey Jesus' commands (Matt. 28:19-20). We often mistake this commission to be one of making fans of Jesus rather than disciples of Jesus. But Jesus wants more than just people to fill the pews, giving an hour or two on Sundays.
In Matthew 10:38-39, Jesus told his disciples that anyone who does not take up their cross and follow him is not worthy of him. He said that those who lose their lives, for Jesus' sake, would find life. Jesus calls us all to be not fans but his disciples.
What Does Being a Disciple Look Like?
A disciple's priority is following Jesus. Everything else is secondary. If Jesus tells them to go, they go. If he tells them to stay, then they stay. They may be like Paul, traveling the world over sharing the good news of Jesus. Or, more likely, they may be like Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers who served in a local church.
The responsibility of the disciple of Jesus Christ is as follows:
Ye are the salt of the earth
Did you know that salt preserves and seasons and is essential to human life? Salt can also stand the heat. 1474 F melting point -can stand the heat.2669 F boiling point stands the heat
Ye are the light of the world. This is visible light. Some Christians are unseen light. Let your light shine before men. This is visible light.
Light is needed to see color. The brighter the light, the more you see the actual color. Color Temperature above 90 is required to view color more accurately. If your light is dim, you will not have a good view of your surroundings.
If your light is dim, you will not show the glory of God to a darkened world.
Let me end with these questions:
Are you salt and light to the world you live in?
Who are you disciplining for the LORD?
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