So, my wife and others have been looking into the subject of discipleship. As I think and meditate upon it and interact with other believers from across the Christian landscape, things have been interesting.
Jesus revealed that there would be certain characteristics found in a disciple that would cause people (both Christians and non-Christians) to “know” (GK ginosko- to know, experience) that we are His followers.
Perhaps our view of who is a disciple is different than what Jesus and the early Church thought. For instance, I was talking with my Fed Ex pick up guy a couple of weeks ago about a myriad of topics (I think that he doesn’t get to talk to anyone throughout the day and waits for our pick up, then shares with me everything he’s been thinking about).
He refers to himself as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention more times than he does “a believer in Jesus.” Anyway, we were talking about the election coming up and he said that he could not believe a Christian would vote Democrat. I guess a part of his community of believers has added Republican party affiliate to their attribute list of a disciple.
Another thing that I have noticed is the topic of a disciple is one who is “plugged in” to various volunteer positions in the local church. If you have ever been around those communities before, it seems that a lot of energy is spent adding tasks and jobs for people for Sunday morning or various other programs throughout the week. Giving people something to do to contribute to the ministry of the church will help them become more like Jesus. I believe that there is something powerful there. However, Willow Creek researched many congregations and found that “spiritual busyness” doesn’t necessarily lead to growing in Christ-likeness (google the book Reveal for more info). I don’t know if you have seen it, but I’ve come across a few people who have been bewildered by their bankrupt spiritual formation, even though they were worship leaders, youth sponsors, or small group leaders.
What does Jesus say a disciple is? He may not give us “exact” roles of a disciple, but He provides of what the essence of a disciple is. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus goes on a travel narrative that starts in Luke 9:51 and goes all the way until His triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem before His Passion. On this journey, one of the main subjects of His teaching is discipleship.
Right off the bat, Jesus gives us one element of the essence of discipleship. In Luke 9:62 (worth memorizing), Jesus declares, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Jesus says that a disciple is a person who decides to follow Jesus and does not look back. A disciple does not “miss” his/her old life when they did not walk with the Lord. A disciple decides to “sell” all that does not glorify the Lord in order to have a life consumed by Him.
I get pretty frustrated at times when I hear people say that they “appreciate” their lifestyle that they lived before they came to Jesus. “It helps me realize how powerful His love is and where I came from,” they say. Don’t we realize that before we came to Jesus, we were enemies of God (Col. 1:21)! What is so wonderful about that past that is worth celebrating or even wanting to recall? We have to flee from those things as we rejoice in the understanding that even God doesn’t want to remember them!
Are we consumed today? Have we placed our hands on the plow and are thinking twice, looking back! I pray that the revelation of God’s heart will consume us today! I pray that we come back to Jesus’ expectation of discipleship!
