Mark 1: 16-20 NKJV
Over the years, there have been countless books, video series and seminars devoted to discovering just what christian discipleship looks like. For Jesus Himself instructed His own disciples to "Go and make disciples of all the nations." Somewhere along the way, however, I feel we've lost the meaning of just what Jesus was asking these men to do. What was it that Jesus was looking for in a follower? Someone who would listen intently? Someone who would be a zealot? Someone who would break under pressure? Well, He got all of this with the men He ended up choosing. I believe that Christ knew beforehand just who would be chosen as His inner circle. One thing that is certain is that the men Jesus chose to follow Him read no books, watched no videos or attended any discipleship seminars. No, their only call was of Jesus inviting them to "Follow Me." And they left everything and heeded the call of Jesus. Far from any discipleship seminar, this would be on the job training. They would walk wherever Jesus walked. It was Jesus who would become their friend, teacher and Savior. Much of what we know about discipleship today we've learned from the interaction between Jesus and His disciples. As Jesus walked the countryside, He taught these men all they would need to know to be "Fishers of men."
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And He said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death He would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow me."
John 21: 15-19 NKJV
Besides being disciples of Jesus, these fishermen had a intimate connection to one another. This small band of christian brothers would spend a good deal of time together as they walked alongside Jesus throughout His ministry. These were teachable moments indeed. They would also become witness to the gift Christ would present to the world, His crucifiction. The fact that one would deny His Lord while others in the fold would scatter in the face of the persecution of Jesus would be understandable. What man could endure such torment? It was these men, however, who Jesus would once again gather to Himself and redeem upon His resurection. It was also these men who would bring the message of Jesus into the world we know today. More than being just friends and comrades, these men of Jesus were brothers with Christ Jesus. One of the reasons for choosing the title for this page was for just that reason. For in Mark 1:16 we see Jesus as He chooses the men who would ultimately become His disciples. Four of those chosen, Simon, Andrew, James and John were indeed brothers who left everything to follow Jesus. So, what can we learn about discipleship from these original fishers of men? In a christian culture that has become increasingly textboook oriented, it may be refreshing to take another look at discipleship from the men who experienced it firsthand. Rather than immersing themselves in textbooks, videos and seminars, these men simply shared life with Jesus. As they traveled, they experienced the love, mercy and teachings of Jesus firsthand. Far from being brothers, they became brothers with Christ.
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment