A foreign concept to our western culture. Something that the church has tried to adopt as Jesus gives individuals a clear call to follow Him, deny themselves, take up their cross and follow.
What did that really mean in practice?
A Jew hearing it from the mouth of Jesus, would have understood the gravity of the invitation. Give up the entirety of their life, their potential future, financial stability to follow the Rabi in every aspect of their life. Going wherever the Rabi was going, doing whatever the Rabi was doing.
All future ideas would have been filtered through the leadership and direction of the Rabi.
There was not greater risk to an individual, and no greater honor than to be a disciple.
What does discipleship mean now? How does the concept of discipleship impact today's Church culture? Is it dished out and offered up in a bulletin? Is it an older person counseling and mentoring you? Maybe someone helping you read the Bible and process your life challenges? No doubt, all great things, but does it have optional components where we can pick and choose when and how we will follow?
There are so many great and not so great experiences around this concept. Take a moment and evaluate for yourself what does it mean for you to be a disciple of Jesus? Is there a call from Jesus Himself to you to deny yourself? Put all future plans on the table, risk financial stability, and get to know what Jesus is doing on the earth? Is it possible that His plans are clear and that He is inviting us to not just learn about them, but follow Him into them?
I want to encourage you to take a fresh look at your life and ask If you are and want to be a disciple of Jesus. Regardless of what the concept of discipleship has looked like to you, and if someone is helping you or not. Ask these two questions:
- What am I experiencing Jesus to be like this week.
- How am I following Him into what He is doing this week.
Being able to answer these two questions on a week in and week out basis will enable us to discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Would you do it with me?