Discipleship

by G.K. Kennedy, Sydney, Australia | Category: Never Man So Spake - Great Truths From The Lord's Min | Jun 1985

"The disciple is not above his teacher" (Luke 6:40 RVM).

"The high priest therefore asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His teaching"

(John 18:19).

In our consideration of the matter of Christian discipleship, to which our Lord made frequent references, we can learn firstly that it comprises the Teacher and the learner and that the teaching links them together. The Teacher/disciple relationship differs from the Saviour/sinner relationship. The latter is by one act of faith and eternally bonded. The former is sustained by a continuous commitment, and sadly can be terminated by the disciple.

Frequent reference is made in the Gospel records to the "Master" and the word may more properly be translated "Teacher". It is the same word used by Nicodemus to the Lord ("We know that Thou art a teacher come from God" John 3:2) and by the Lord to Nicodemus ("Art thou the teacher of Israel" v.10), and similarly in James 3:1 (RV).

In the wonderful and gracious appeal of the gospel the Lord as Saviour says, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28). Then to such as respond to that call, accepting the Saviour, the Lord appeals to them to become disciples, saying: "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (vv. 29,30). There is a yoke in discipleship and learning so that the disciple may gain the Christ-like traits of meekness and lowliness of heart. The words of the Lord are apposite "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher" (Mat. 10:25 RVM). "It is enough! What emphasis these words can bear. "It is enough" subdues every selfish whim and desire for personal glory.

In commissioning the apostles prior to His ascension (Mat. 28:19-20) the Lord had in view more than the preaching of the gospel for the salvation of sinners. The Lord made it clear that for baptism and for obedience to all things whatsoever had been left in commandment, it is necessary for disciples to be made. It is sad if selfishness or fearfulness of the cost deters a child of God from the pathway of discipleship. A disciple has been defined as one who learns to follow and follows to learn. It will be a short association if the learning is only for the head and not for the heart; only for knowledge and not for the forming of character in Christ4ikeness. Paul made reference to this when he wrote to the Galatians: "My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you" (4:19).

There is a cost, which may be very great, in being a disciple of the Lord Jesus. To one, who had said to Him "Master (Teacher), I will follow Thee", the Lord replied that the Son of Man had not where to lay His head (Mat. 8:19-20). The disciple therefore cannot expect more. Concerning the apostles Peter said: "Lo, we have left all, and followed Thee" (Mat. 19:27). When the Lord set the conditions of discipleship He illustrated it with two stories which included these pertinent phrases - "first sit down and count the cost" and "sit down first and take counsel" (Luke 14:28,31). This is not to imply that the cost should deter us from discipleship; but rather that we should lay hold upon the reality: "I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

It should challenge us when we compare the words "cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26,27,33) with the expression found In the corresponding portion of Mat. 10:37,38 where the Lord says "is not worthy of Me". The child of God who shirks the cost of being a disciple is not worthy of Jesus Christ. Are we conscious that this matter must be met later at the Judgement Seat of Christ when rewards shall be given by Him? Matthew 10:37 is also helpful in interpreting the "hate" of Luke 14:26 by the thought of "not loving more than". We therefore see that allegiance to the Lord transcends all earthly ties, including the relationship of father and mother and even that of the "one flesh "relationship through marriage.

Each is to "bear his own cross" whereon our self-centred interests and fleshly lusts are put to death, and all that one has is renounced (not necessarily given away), so that possessions are seen not as desirable objects for one's own ultimate pleasure but as channels devoted to God's service. Concerning this matter of being channels there is a pleasant example in Matthew 14:19 - "He ... gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes".

A disciple of the Lord Jesus will be manifest in two respects, each of equal importance. Firstly, he or she will do the will of the Father. "For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister and mother" said the Lord as He stretched forth His hand towards His disciples, and said, "Behold!" (Mat. 12:48-50). What an intimate relationship is here implied. True disciples, disciples indeed, are such as abide in His Word and know the truth (John 8:31). The Word of God is the disciple's nourishment and guide, not selectively taken, but the whole of it, because the disciple's commitment must be total. "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be My disciples" (John 15:8). Secondly, side by side with doing the will of the Father is the manifestation of a Christ-like nature. On the night before He died He gave us a new commandment, saying, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

The Lord very clearly demonstrated the character of discipleship earlier that evening when He washed the feet of the disciples who had come there with thoughts as to which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24). After He had finished His lowly service of love the Lord asked them: "Know ye what I have done to you?" (John 13:12). Yes, He had humbled Himself to be of service, ministering to others who were not to be compared to Himself. And so He said: "Ye call Me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:12-15 RVM). And then He pronounced happiness upon those who obey, saying, "If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them" (v.17). What happiness is forfeited when the will of God is not done and His character not emulated.

Admittedly, the matter of discipleship has limited appeal for many of God's dear children. Much is said about the saving of sinners but little if anything about the making of disciples. May we try and put it into some perspective? The Lord said: "My teaching is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself... I am from Him and He sent Me" (John 7:16,17,29). A disciple identifies with the very God of heaven and with His truth. A disciple is a walking testimony to the Lord, that there is none other who is worthy of our allegiance because He alone has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). A disciple is one who bears the yoke of Christ in order that he or she may be now as He was in this world, who said that He always did the things that were well pleasing in God's sight.

For the practical application of the significance of discipleship, ponder the following: "And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed them

(Mat. 21:6).

G.K. Kennedy, Sydney, Australia | Jun 1985
Never Man So Spake - Great Truths From The Lord's Min