What is a Disciple?

And if we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? What decisions and partings will it demand? To answer these questions, we shall have to go to him, for only he knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows the journey’s end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy.

—Dietrich Bonheoffer

The Cost of Discipleship

The ESV Study Bible states the ultimate purpose and theme of Mark is to present and defend Jesus’ universal call to discipleship. Ever since I read that statement several weeks ago in preparation for our study of the book of Mark, I have been thinking about the word disciple—what is means, its implications. It’s a word that falls into a category I refer to as Christian lingo. Words we like to throw around but don’t fully understand.

The word disciple or disciples is only used in two passages in the Old Testament: Isaiah 8:16 and Isaiah 50:4. The Hebrew word used here is limmuwd, and it is defined as follows:

1) taught, learned, discipled

a) taught

b) accustomed to (something)

In Mark, the first use of the word is in chapter two verse fifteen, and it is used many times thereafter. The Greek word used here is mathetes, which means a learner, pupil, disciple; one who follows one’s teaching. Mathetes is from the root word manthano:

1) to learn, be apprised

a) to increase one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge

b) to hear, be informed

c) to learn by use and practice

1) to be in the habit of, accustomed to

Based on these definitions, the first idea inherent in the word is that a disciple is someone who learns or is learning from someone else that is doing the teaching. As Christians, we are disciples of Jesus, and we are being taught by Him. Like any student, the amount we are learning is dependent on our cooperation: Are we attending class, reading our textbook, paying close attention, taking notes? Are we applying what we’ve learned?

This leads to the second idea that is common to both the Hewbrew and Greek definitions. Disciples are accustomed to something. Accustomed is defined as follows:

1. customary; usual, habitual: in their accustomed manner

2. habituated; acclimated (usually followed by to): accustomed to staying up late; accustomed to the noise of the subway

What are disciples of Jesus accustomed to? What habits distinguish us from those who are not disciples? I think these are the habits that identify us as students and followers of Christ. Therefore, we must ask ourselves the following questions:

1) Do my habits identify me as a student and follower of Jesus?

2) Am I taking advantage of every opportunity to be taught that is made available to me?

3) Am I studying and learning on my own with the resources I have?

4) Can I see changes in my life as a result of the things I am learning?

Prayerfully consider these questions this week asking God to show you the truth about yourself, enabling you to grow as a follower of Jesus.

More on disciple and discipleship is to come.

Tis the Season

It is 10:48 on a Friday evening exactly a week before Christmas. I am exhausted from the frenetic pace required from the season's activities. To give you can idea of how busy I have been, my morning study time today was conducted in my car outside of Kid's Clubhouse!

Needless to say, I have not had time to post here, but as I read over Mark 4:24 this week, I was reminded of a post I wrote for my old blog that I thought I would share with you. You can find it here.

Leprosy as a Picture of Sin

In Mark chapter one, we read about Jesus healing a leper. You may recall other accounts in scripture of Jesus healing lepers, and you may have wondered what's the big deal about leprosy? Leprosy was and is not only a very painful and chronic disease, but for Jews it was spiritually significant as well. Two chapters in Leviticus are devoted to dealing with leprosy and lepers.

In chapter 13, Moses describes the tests for leprosy, providing the information needed for the priest to diagnose the disease and the consequences of the diagnosis, which was that the person was declared unclean and from then on required to live outside the camp. Lepers had to isolate themselves so that they would not infect others.

Chapter 14 outlines the requirements for cleansing a leper. This is what Jesus was referring to when he instructed the leper in Mark chapter one to go and show himself to the priest. There were certain things the leper must do to be declared clean for his return to society, which included a series of sacrifices, bathing, washing his clothing, and shaving the head.

In his commentary on Mark, Be Diligent, Warren W. Wiersbe describes how leprosy as described in Leviticus 13 is a picture of sin and how the ceremony described in Leviticus 14 demonstrates redemption in Christ:

Like sin, leprosy is deeper than the skin (v. 3); it spreads (vv. 5-8); it defiles and isolates (vv. 44-46); and it renders things fit only for the fire (vv. 47-59). Anyone who has never trusted the Savior is in worse shape than this man was physically.

The ceremony...presents a beautiful picture in type of the work of redemption. The two birds represent two different aspects of our Lord's ministry: His incarnation and death (the bird put into the jar and then killed), and his resurrection and ascension (the bird stained with blood and set free). The blood was applied to the man's right ear (God's Word), right thumb (God's work), and the right great toe (God's walk). The oil was put on the blood, symbolizing the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit cannot come on human flesh until first the blood has been applied.

If you are in Christ, thank God that the blood has been applied to you and that you have been declared clean!

Do You Remember Wilson Phillips?

I have very vivid memories from 1990-91 of driving back to Louisiana Tech from home listening to Wilson Phillips on the radio and singing along...loudly. I thought Chynna Phillips was gorgeous with her slim figure, pretty face, and short blonde haircut.

Well, I was listening to the Christian station on satellite radio a few weeks ago, and as the DJ was introducing the song, Everyday Miracles by Chynna & Vaughn, she mentioned that "Chynna" was Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips! I went straight to my PC and Googled to find out the story. I knew that Chynna's brother-in-law, Stephen Baldwin, had been an outspoken believer for some years, and knowing how God draws His children to Himself through relationships, I figured he was a factor in her conversion. On YouTube I found this clip from a documentary by Stephen, and I just found this article on People.com today.

There are a number of videos on YouTube featuring Chynna and Vaughn Penn, who is equally lovely and has an equally compelling testimony. I encourage you to visit their web site where you can hear the first three songs from their new album, One Reason. Later on that day of my discovery, I went to Wal Mart and purchased it. I love it. And my little girl sings along with an enthusiasm similar to her mama's enthusiasm in the early 90s.