Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Discipleship: Calling for Christ Experience
St. Mark 3:13-19
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
According to today’s scripture portion, Jesus chose and appointed twelve apostles to preach the gospel and cast out demons. Jesus’ choice of twelve disciples may have been in keeping continuity with the twelve tribes of Israel. Discipleship is a way of life in which disciples must maintain a close relationship with Jesus. As disciples, we are also called to spend quality time with Jesus and develop a personal connection with him. When contemplating the concept of discipleship, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Attributes or Attitudes
We do not choose Jesus; rather, Jesus has chosen us for a special task. Because Jesus took the initiative, he will have his own criteria for picking people for his work. We could be curious about the attributes of these chosen disciples. We may be startled to see the selected people with us, just as the disciples were surprised to see tax collectors with them. Jesus appointed them not looking at what they were, but what they could become for Christ. It demonstrates Jesus’ trust in the disciples’ ability to accomplish great things for God. All we need is our passion and determination to serve God; we don’t need to be biblical scholars or possess all the answers to the concerns that have been raised. We must examine ourselves to see if we possess the right attitude necessary for Jesus to assign us, true disciples.
Experienced or Christ experience
We might be ordinary people, but we must become special people to accept the call and carry out our mission faithfully. Jesus was more concerned with the chosen’s commitment than with their previous experience. They were just normal people with various backgrounds and skills. They were not special but were called to serve Jesus in a special way. Hence, there is no point in lamenting that we are not unique people capable of serving God. Jesus never called the experienced and the talented, but he does bestow wisdom and gifts on those who are chosen. New experiences take precedence over past experiences and attributes in this case. They were chosen for a special task: to always be with Jesus.
Discipleship is more about having a positive attitude toward being with Jesus all of the time and serving him in any manner we can. God has a plan for our life, and it is for us to submit to His will. Hence, we are called to be good people, parents, friends, excellent witnesses at school and work, and good life partners, not just pastors or evangelists. As disciples, we have a responsibility to represent Jesus Christ in the social environment in which we live.
Attributes or Attitudes
We do not choose Jesus; rather, Jesus has chosen us for a special task. Because Jesus took the initiative, he will have his own criteria for picking people for his work. We could be curious about the attributes of these chosen disciples. We may be startled to see the selected people with us, just as the disciples were surprised to see tax collectors with them. Jesus appointed them not looking at what they were, but what they could become for Christ. It demonstrates Jesus’ trust in the disciples’ ability to accomplish great things for God. All we need is our passion and determination to serve God; we don’t need to be biblical scholars or possess all the answers to the concerns that have been raised. We must examine ourselves to see if we possess the right attitude necessary for Jesus to assign us, true disciples.
Experienced or Christ experience
We might be ordinary people, but we must become special people to accept the call and carry out our mission faithfully. Jesus was more concerned with the chosen’s commitment than with their previous experience. They were just normal people with various backgrounds and skills. They were not special but were called to serve Jesus in a special way. Hence, there is no point in lamenting that we are not unique people capable of serving God. Jesus never called the experienced and the talented, but he does bestow wisdom and gifts on those who are chosen. New experiences take precedence over past experiences and attributes in this case. They were chosen for a special task: to always be with Jesus.
Discipleship is more about having a positive attitude toward being with Jesus all of the time and serving him in any manner we can. God has a plan for our life, and it is for us to submit to His will. Hence, we are called to be good people, parents, friends, excellent witnesses at school and work, and good life partners, not just pastors or evangelists. As disciples, we have a responsibility to represent Jesus Christ in the social environment in which we live.
Prayer
Lord, enable us to live out the purpose for which we were chosen. Amen
Rev. Saju Samuel Cherukara
Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta
Rev. Saju Samuel Cherukara
Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta