Discipleship (Part 1): Lord and Saviour
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He commissioned the remaining eleven disciples to go and 'make disciples' (Mt 28:16-20). The 'Eleven' had become apostles through the training provided by Jesus; they had been disciples (so usually referred to in the Gospels, with a few exceptions only), yet grew to be apostles in their leadership position of the Church (they are called 'apostles' in Acts). The commission is not to make 'church-goers,' nor even to simply preach the Gospel; the commission is to make disciples (a verb which, in the original Greek text, is in the imperative form, hence a command). Disciples are made in two ways: (1) by baptising believers, which is not simply the immersion into water, but a life-transformation into the image of God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (a ritual without faith and inner experience is empty; baptism would then be a bath, nothing more). The other component in this text is that disciples are made (2) by teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded (Greek grammar: both 'baptising' and 'teaching' are participles, which form two sub-clauses and explain the main verb, 'make disciples'). It is not simply teaching some doctrine, but teaching people in such a way that they learn to live by the ways and Word of God. In a similar way Moses was to teach God's people the statutes and words of God in order for them 'to perform' them (Dt 4:1). Hence, the exhortation by James, 'be doers of the Word not hearers only,' for such deceive themselves (Jas 1:22). Why would they deceive themselves? Because they think they are living the life by simply hearing the Word of God, but are not aware of actually failing to obey. People know about forgiving others - and nod when they hear it preached - but actually don't do it when it comes to a situation that demands forgiveness. That is one reason why some non-Christians think all 'church folk' are hypocrites; well, fact is that many 'church folk' have failed, but worst of all, have failed in recognising their own mistakes without apology or change. It is only human to fail - and to 'blow it' sometimes - but as one seeks to learn and repent of one's sins and failures, God grants total forgiveness no matter what had happened (people are very seldom as forgiving...)
So, what is a 'disciple'? Dr Brad H Young, a leading scholar in the field of the Jewish background to the Gospels and the New Testament as a whole, informs us that 'Jesus' teaching techniques have deep roots in the rich soils of Jewish education and Torah training.' He explains that a 'disciple' in Hebrew is a talmid, that is, a '"learner," one who is open to change and is actively seeking to learn how to live life to its fullest potential in the kingdom of heaven' (see Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2007. pages 29-30). Hence, a disciple is a student or learner, one who follows a teacher or master. He or she is so by choice and trust in the master, just as a martial arts student is submitted to his or her master in order to learn and be trained with the aim of becoming like the master. As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to be followers of Him and have Him as our Lord and Teacher, not only our Saviour.
Another very important passage when it comes to discipleship is found in Luke 6. Jesus had chosen twelve of His many disciples to become apostles after a night of prayer (Lk 6:12-16), and then began to teach (vv 17ff). In verse 46 we come acorss a very striking question:
'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not what I say?'
In other words, why would you call your superior at work 'Boss' but constantly do your own thing? If you were a hairdresser, why would you call your boss 'Boss' and then colour someone's hair blue when he told you to colour it blonde? If you're a surgeon, why would you operate on someone's leg if the arm needs 'fixing'? It's simply: calling Jesus 'Lord' without obedience is a contradiction in itself. Calling one self a Christian without seeking to obey God's Word is a no-go. Jesus explains why in the following illustration - which is, to be sure, not simply a nice Sunday-school story...: there are two kinds of hearers: (1) there are those who hear the words and do them, and (2) there are those who hear but don't obey (vv 47ff). Both hear, but only one group obeys - and that is the crucial difference! The obedient is building his life on a solid foundation - obeying God's Word through Jesus - while the other is building on sand; storms come to both, but only one survives. This illustration hits home: we all know that life has its many storms (i.e., the economy is not always stable, jobs not always secure, investments are at risk, etc), and sometimes it hits people very hard. The question is, What solution do we have for these situations? How can we handle them without 'going to the dogs' ourselves? The Bible guarantees a blessed life despite life's storms. That doesn't not mean that Christians will never face trouble - the opposite is true; in fact, persecution, hardships, etc is part of the true Christian life. The crucial difference, however, is that the obedient followers of Jesus will always have hope that will carry them through mentally and emotionally, they will always know that God is still in control and makes all things work together for good, and they will always be able to trust God even if they don't fully understand all of life's mysteries. It is better to suffer temporarily with trust in God, then to suffer without any hope. Troubles and hardship for God's people are temporary, while people without God's protection often suffer irrepairable loss and damage - it is ever so sad to learn of such cases, but the world ain't a Sunday pick-nick. There are bad people who mean harm; there is a devil who seeks to harm people for no reason. Yet Scripture makes clear that God has always a way out of trouble. Think of Daniel's friends in the furnace of fire: God didn't save them from the fire, He saved them in it. Even God's Son Jesus had to suffer the crucifixion, but that was not 'the last word'; no, the resurrection was, and with it perfect salvation for whoever believes in the Messiah of God was made available.
It is, however, very clear, that Jesus must be both Lord and Saviour, not Saviour only. A person doesn't become a Christian by attending church, just as working in a car factory doesn't make one into a car. Each individual must find his or her personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through that relationship with God one will discover that religion is not a burden but a joy and relief. It is amazing how God can transform a life and make something beautiful out of something ugly. Just think of a butterfly - and what it was before! My life has been like that: I was depressed, frustrated, and despair in a life without God despite growing up in one of the richest countries in the world. In fact, Switerland has one of the highest suicide rates in the world (so does Australia). Isn't that surprising? You see, there is more to life than what money can buy. True deep and inner peace comes only through peace with God through Jesus Christ; in fact, Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14; cf. Ro 5:1ff). He is the One who can reconcile us with God and with ourself. As many teenagers (but also adults), I didn't like myself too much, until I came to understand that God created me and loved me - that knowledge changed my life in a tremenduous way. I don't have to look like Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp in order to be confident; I don't have to have millions of pounds in order to be happy; I don't need to be the centre of attention at all parties and weddings in order to feel important and special. No, God has made each person a unique, special, and precious individual. All negative self-image disappears once a person discovers the unique, personal, and deep love of God. All searching for the meaning of life comes to an end once meaning and purpose is found in God. In fact, God so loved human beings that He gave His Son to die for our sins - it was the only way to reconcile us with Him on that intimate level. It is the love of God that makes people realize that a life of obedience is truly meaningful, purposeful, and satisfying. We do no longer need to sing, 'I can't get no satisfaction,' as it is found in the peace and love of God through Jesus Christ.
Shalom,
Gordon
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