It’s a term we often hear in church but not so much outside in the world.
Many of us think we have some idea what it means, but is there more to it than we imagine?
Are there things we should be doing that we don’t? Or things that we’re not doing that we should?
As Jesus’ followers, what does it really look like to be His disciple?
In this new series of blog posts, we are going to explore what it really means to wholeheartedly follow Jesus as his disciple and how to lead others to do the same.
Here, we’ll lay some of the groundwork and basic principles. Then, in future posts, we’ll begin to build the structure for practicing and learning to become all that God has called us to be.
Discipleship is a conscious effort to follow the Lord Jesus and to learn.
A disciple is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, intentionally learns from Him, and strives to live more like Him. Broadly, discipleship is a word to describe a journey of spiritual growth.
Many have made the decision to come forward and make a profession of faith in Jesus.
But to truly be a Jesus’ disciple, it’s not enough to just come forward, we need to also move forward, spiritually. And then to continue to grow as followers of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, “by their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:16). It also teaches that faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Therefore, authentic Christianity should be pursued as a lifetime of discovery, learning, transformation, application and growth.
Living things grow. If we’re not growing, we’re either stagnant or dying.
It’s like that in our Christian walk also. Many are willing to take Jesus on as their savior.
But things get a little more tenuous when it comes to making Him Lord of their lives. And so, they never grow and fully develop.
Hunger is an indicator for health. A healthy person is a hungry person. It is why doctors will often ask us during an examination, “How is your appetite?” Because they know that if we’re not regularly hungry and have a good appetite, many times, that is an initial sign of disease.
So, similarly, having a healthy spiritual appetite can be a meaningful sign regarding our spiritual health. If you’re hungry for the things of God and His Word, that is a good sign of spiritual development and healthiness.
Having fellowship with God and bringing others into that fellowship is a cornerstone of discipleship.
In the 14th chapter of the book of Luke, the apostle breaks down for us what it fundamentally means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
In fact, verse 26 may seem like it cuts pretty close to the quick when Jesus is quoted as having said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
But understand what is being said here; Jesus is not being literal when he says you must hate those who you are otherwise called to love. He is saying that we must love Jesus more than anyone or anything else. Jesus is using a contrasting term to make a larger point. He’s effectively saying, “You’re love for God should be so intense that your love for others would be like hatred in comparison.”
In verse 27, Jesus goes on to say, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
So, in addition to loving God more than anyone or anything else, a true disciple must take up his cross and follow Jesus.
In Jesus’ day, carrying one’s cross most often referred to the cruel ritual the Romans (and others) imposed upon the criminal who was to be crucified. On the way to their crucifixion, they were required to carry the crossbar of the cross they were to be hung on through the streets of town and the site of their execution. This crossbar weighed around 100 pounds and was often thrust upon arms and shoulders that had already been whipped, flailed and tortured. This was meant to be a public display and example to deter citizens from committing capital crimes or otherwise rise up in insurrection. To carry a cross was to face one of the most painful and humiliating means of death human beings have ever developed.
So, what did Jesus have in mind with this illustration when it comes to our discipleship?
Let’s begin with what Jesus didn’t mean in this verse. Many people interpret the “cross” to be taken up as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, etc.
Often, with self-pitying pride, they look at their difficulty and say, “That’s just the cross I bear and have to carry.” As if to follow Jesus is meant to be a forever painful and unpleasant experience. From other passages of scripture, we learn that these are not the ideas Jesus had in mind when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” Jesus’ command is a call to self-abasement and self-sacrifice; to be willing to humble oneself and consider others to be more important. Putting aside our selfish ambitions and vain conceit. (Philippians 2: 3-4) In essence, one must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus. Dying to self means an absolute surrender to God.
After Jesus commanded cross-bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:25–26). Although the call to take up our cross may seem kind of tough and pretty demanding, the reward is matchless. Nothing in this world is worth passing up eternal life.
Discipleship really is God’s call to everyone who considers themselves a believer. It’s His ultimate relational gift to those of us truly willing to accept and treasure it.
I pray this sets the stage well and whets your appetite to learn more about what it truly means to follow Jesus as His disciple. In future posts, we’ll begin to break this down more specifically and provide additional tools, so we hope you’ll continue reading.
In the meantime, what thoughts or questions does this post raise for you in your spiritual walk with Jesus?
Are there currently things or people in your life that you love more than Him?
What steps might you take to begin to turn your relationships around?
What is it that you’re currently doing or not doing in your life that might represent an area where you “die to yourself” and begin living, doing, thinking, acting, speaking, relating and responding more obediently, as Jesus calls and encourages you to?
Being a disciple requires discipline. And discipline requires intentional effort, change and sometimes even, sacrifice. But, in the end, it’s so worthwhile, beneficial and life-giving.
But remember, every one of us has been created and built for relationship. Make and have your personal time with God, but don’t try to fully go it alone. Like any good workout or other thing worth doing, we’re so much more successful, diligent and committed when we do it together, in community.
Right here with you,
Terry