A SERIES OF THOUGHTS | 12 | On Discipleship
Discipleship is a central theme of the Bible, particularly in the first four books of the new testament (also known as the Gospels). These books show us that the life and ministry of Jesus Christ on earth would have been incomplete without the presence and influence of His disciples.
However, the word ‘disciple’ is not limited to the life and time of Jesus. It is derived from the Greek word mathētḗs which is generally used to describe someone who learns by instruction from a master or someone who is following a master to become like Him. The words apprentice or pupil can also be used.
Keeping that in mind, we will come to realize that discipleship is a theme that occurs throughout the Bible. The relationships between Moses and Joshua; Elijah and Elisha; Elisha and Gehazi; Paul and Timothy — to name a few — are all prime examples of discipleship.
At its core, discipleship is about relationships. It is an intimate connection between two parties that is meant to produce fruit. The measure of the success or failure of it is dependent on how much the disciple can reproduce the virtues and attributes of his/her master in his/her own life.
Tracing our steps back to Jesus Christ, there is a passage of scripture in the book of Luke chapter 9 that enumerates three conditions that we need to meet if we want to build a healthy discipleship relationship with our Master. This is the central theme of my thoughts today.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:57–62 (English Standard Version)
The Heart of a Traveller
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Oftentimes, this passage is wrongly interpreted to mean that Jesus and His disciples lived on the streets and had no place to sleep at night. Such interpretations are wrong and false. The Bible and Biblical Historical books give us substantial evidence that Jesus was usually found in Capernaum (where He rented a house) or at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Jesus was not homeless.
This scripture speaks about the temporary nature of Jesus’ earthly dwelling. He knew that He was here for a brief period to achieve a singular mission — to pay the price of our sins through His death and to restore us to a relationship with the Father through His resurrection.
Essentially, Jesus is telling this man that to follow Him, he has to view this world as a temporary home as well. This point is echoed throughout the life and ministry of Jesus. He was always speaking about the coming of the Kingdom of God, telling us that we are ‘in this world but not of this world’ and telling us to ‘store our treasures in heaven and not on earth’ because they will pass away.
To be effective in our Christian walk today, we need to constantly remind ourselves that just like our master, we are here for a brief period to achieve a singular mission. This mission was given to us in Mark 16:15.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. — Mark 16:15 (English Standard Version)
One Singular Priority
To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
This is an extension of the last point. Reading this portion in isolation and out of context, the words of Jesus are quite harsh to the natural mind. However, Jesus said this deliberately to show us the importance of proclaiming the kingdom of God.
The first ‘dead’ in this passage signifies those who have not come into a relationship with Jesus and are spiritually dead while the second ‘dead’ refers to the physical death that occurred in the family of the person Jesus is talking to.
In the human experience, not many things are as important as honouring a family member in death by attending their burial ceremony. The birth of a child and the union between husband and wife are the two other events that can be put in that category.
Yet, Jesus places the work of the Kingdom as a higher priority. Let’s be clear about this; Jesus is not dismissing burials, weddings, births or any other important events in a person’s life. Remember that His first miracle was at a wedding ceremony.
The thing that Jesus is addressing here is the priority of our hearts. As believers, no matter what we do — work, education or hobbies — nothing should take the place of God’s Kingdom in our hearts. Remember that our Master did the same thing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? — Luke 2:49 (King James Version)
One Primary Focus
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This portion wraps up this passage beautifully. Once again, to the natural mind, there is nothing wrong with someone saying goodbye to those at home. Yet, Jesus responded with a short parable.
Relating the parable to the request that was made to Jesus, we can conclude that this person would not have been able to follow Jesus after saying goodbye to those at home.
Perhaps those at home would convince him or her to stay. Perhaps the person would get comfortable and start to second guess the decision to follow Jesus. Perhaps they may even meet disaster on the way back to the Lord.
We are not told the exact reason why Jesus seemed to imply that the person followed immediately. What we can do is learn an important lesson about focus.
To be a disciple of Jesus means that our Master and His will should be the primary occupation of our minds. We must be willing to do the things He says, how He says those things and when He says those things should be done.
Remember that the call of His disciples followed this same pattern. He did not wait for Peter and Andrew to get back home to think about the decision. He simply said ‘follow me’ and they did.
Our survival as disciples of Jesus Christ lies in our ability to keep our hearts and eyes on Him through all the storms, trials, temptations and distractions of this world; knowing in our hearts that we are here for a short season and that our true home is one yet to come.
