If someone were to come up to you and say the word “disciple”, what would enter into your mind? It is a word that in Christian circles is thrown around a lot. But I wonder if those who use the word truly understand what it means. Many times we over simplify the word disciple to mean a follower. While a disciple is a follower they are much more than that. A better word to use to describe a disciple would be “apprentice.” An apprentice is someone who is following someone around for the explicit person of carrying on their teacher’s work in the future. That is exactly what Jesus is calling us to do, to carry on His work. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are “ambassadors for Christ.” We are to represent God to the world. In order to do that we must learn about Jesus, study Jesus, and then imitate Jesus. Luke 6:40 says, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” In other words, no disciple is greater than his teacher, but when he is fully trained he will be like his teacher. Again, this goes right in line with the idea of an apprentice. The word disciple is much more than a word, it is a lifestyle. When Jesus called His first disciples in Matthew 4 He said, “Follow Me.” In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said, “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.” Notice Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me.”
Jesus didn’t call His disciples and then say don’t change your lifestyle or become more like Me. In fact, Jesus says just the opposite. That as we learn more about Him, He will change us and that we will become more like Him. That is also the thrust of Paul’s message in Romans 8:28-29. Are you a disciple of Christ by mouth only or by deeds? Are you obeying Jesus’ first command to His disciples, “Follow Me?” If not, there is no better time to start than now!
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him!