I think a lot about what makes a disciple. I think about the disciples of Jesus day, what made them disciples, how they were chosen and called worthy despite what little they had in common or even what little they had done to prove themselves.
Jesus hadn’t known them more than a day when Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John left everything to follow him. They needed only to hear him speak a little while, teaching them from the shore as they cast their nets to the sea. Because of their trust in him despite the truth they knew and the experience they had of being out all night without a single catch, they became witness to something greater than they could imagine. Jesus did something for them that he didn’t have to. He proved his worth so he could bring them along on a journey that would prove theirs.
“Go away from me, Lord;” said Peter. “I am a sinful man.” [Luke 5:8]
Peter humbled himself. He realised who he stood beside, and he acknowledged that he could never be worthy of the honour it is to know Jesus. Yet, what does Jesus say about Peter? What did Jesus call him to do, despite how he felt about himself? Despite who Peter was — a simple fisherman. Instead Jesus calls him to follow, to become a disciple, to become something even greater than he called himself.
Peter thought he was only capable of little. But God qualified him to be capable of fishing for men.
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” [5:11]
They left everything behind. With reckless abandon they gave it all up to follow a man who could pave the way straight to freedom. It’s not BECAUSE God will bless us that we follow him; it’s because we follow him that he delights in showing grace and mercy over us, and as a result of who his Son is, we are blessed. We are blessed just to know Him.
So, what is discipleship? Is a disciple just somebody who followed Jesus around as he performed miracles? Is it just a description for the Twelve, just a title for the people closest to Jesus on his earthly journey to the cross? Is it a dead word? The answer is no.
A disciple is, in fact, a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles. But a disciple is something more. A disciple is also a follower, or a student; it’s a learner, a protégé, someone who devotes their time and energy to one particular thing.
Adventures in Missions would describe discipleship as walking through life with someone and pushing them back to the Lord, always. It’s coming alongside someone and navigating the world with them, doing life with them, walking in step with their every move and directing each other back to God no matter what. I like that description. I like the idea that we get to walk through muddy waters together; that we don’t have to be alone, that God’s own desire for us is to live in communion and harmony with one another.
The disciples weren’t just a group of people who followed Jesus around. They were people who ate together, prayed together, lived together, travelled together, hoped together, dreamed together, learned together and sought God together. They lifted each other up and when one had no strength left, they all took time to get back on their feet. They sat together in suffering and in rejoicing.
They worshipped together. They were a part of each other’s lives throughout all of Jesus’ ministry, and carried on the work long after his resurrection.
Our field mentor, Katie, painted a beautiful picture of what it means to be disciples of Christ. She gave us many tools on how to imitate Christ, how to love well, and how to disciple as well as be disciples. One beautiful example she created for us was the idea that in life, there are two islands. One of them is black, and one of them is white. Many people choose to live on one island or the other, usually in conflict or criticism of the opposing island. But Christianity is not living on one island or the other, nor is it denying that they exist altogether. Christianity is knowing where the islands are and knowing which island you choose, but more than that it’s choosing to dive in and be among the people living in grey waters. Despite the islands and despite what you agree with, it’s telling those people that the islands exist and that they don’t have to tread water forever.
It’s inviting people into your life. Sharing your story, sharing God, lettimg Him overflow into everything you do and pouring into people who need pouring into. More so, it’s investing in people. Giving of them time and attention. Proving their worth. Making them feel seen, valued and heard. It’s the small moments that matter.
Lastly, Christianity is all about intercession. Pray on behalf of humanity. Your friends. Family. Disciples. Life is all about finding people to walk with, to learn with, to take as many with you to heaven as you possibly could. Keep your arms full. Love unendingly. Jesus’ own life is littered with stories of how he sought the unheard, unloved, untouched portions of humanity. The broken, the hurting and the lost, not just those who are saved.
Someone once told me that in life, you need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy. You need someone who pours into you (a mentor), someone to walk alongside you (a friend), and someone to pour into (a mentee).
You’ll fnd these three things by looking at the people around you. Who has God brought into your life? Who has pointed you to God, who has been with you through it all, and who is looking to you for something deeper?
If you look around and you lack these things, if you lack friends or you lack that level of connection to the people in your life, pray for it. No, I mean, pray for it. You’ll never gain wisdom if you don’t solicit answers. Ask God. Invite Him to fill your life so full of disciples you’ll forget what it’s like to walk alone. Building a community starts with building your foundation on the One who gives life more abundantly. [John 10:10]
It starts with building your faith. Hebrews 11 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Even faith as little as a mustard seed can grow into a pillar in your life that can’t be pushed over. Imagine what more we could do with even greater faith. A foundation is needed for a life that is fulfilling. But foundations take a lot of hard work, and I wouldn’t want to leave you without the tools to start building. Start somewhere simple.
Jesus says in Luke 6:46-48, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”
Let us be people who lay foundation on solid rock. Let us build well and strong the spiritual house God has given us to steward. Start with a prayer. Start with a petition to God for an understanding of the depths and the mystery of His word, and then dive right in. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by this.
An entire kingdom awaits those who seek Him first. Everything else is just added to the glorious treasures God has for you, specifically. Go out and get yourself a firm foundation. Go find your disciples, and love the life God really has for you.
