thequest family,
I was doing some studying about discipleship this week and came across some stuff I wrote 10 years ago. It was actually pretty helpful, so I strung some of it together to encourage you on our quest of following Jesu
"The stories about Jesus recorded in the Gospels paint the picture of the disciples always being with Jesus. Mark articulates this purpose clearly:
“He [Jesus] appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14, bold for emphasis).
"With-ness,”[1] is a coined term meaning continually being with another. The reality of “with-ness” is a tremendous training ground.[2] Jesus was with the Twelve constantly. He provided opportunities for experiencing the Christ-like way of life. The experience of living with Jesus for the three years of His earthly ministry provided a vast amount of equipping....
....The experience of being with Him was to bring them to the understanding that He was the Son of God--yet this wasn’t the entirety of Christ’s goal. Once this had been accomplished, then Jesus seared into the disciples’ souls a desire to spread the good news about Him and His kingdom.[3] The goal for the Twelve, to proclaim the gospel, is reinforced by His Great Commission. In effect, Christ said, “I made disciples. You are products of it. You saw how I did it. Now go and do likewise!”
The Twelve also had an amount of “with-ness” amidst themselves. This group “with-ness” provided some additional benefits. The group dynamics enabled iron to sharpen iron,[4] not only against Jesus, but amongst the Twelve. The Twelve grew sharper by being together. Group discipleship furnished a grounding in the "fundamentals," so the "fundamentals" would not be lost when doing Christ’s mission individually. An example of a fundamental would be the submission/humility learned in Matthew 10:24-25:
“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons,the members of my household will be called by even worse names!" New emotional heart strings were formed. The disciples transitioned from familial ties to intimacy with Jesus and the other disciples (Mt. 17:22-23)....
This all points to a new family or community. In Matthew 12:46-50, Christ asks, “Who are my mother and brothers?” Then He shocks the audience with the response, “You are!” Part of the commitment to this new community might call for severing family ties.[5] Such a severing would not alienate a disciple, but would bring him or her into fellowship with a new family. A primary foretelling of the Church occurs in Matthew 16:17-20, when Peter is declared the rock on which Christ will build His Church. Another significant text regarding the program of the Church deals with caring for discipline in the community (18:15-20). Matthew records these passages so the readers of his gospel would understand the Church came straight from Jesus and not from “crazy men” one Pentecost. He also notes that disciples must integrate themselves to this new community/family....
....“With-ness” was an indispensable part of Jesus’ plan of discipleship. Today’s church needs to make it indispensable also. “With-ness” is at its very essence time invested in others. Time must be spent with the Church, not the programs, but the people. The Church is people--His called out ones. “With-ness” among Jesus' disciples causes edification, confrontation, growth, reconciliation and a host of other Biblical ideas which lead believers/disciples to maturity. Church leaders (pastors, elders, etc.) must make “with-ness” a priority. Teaching is sterile unless it is enlivened by a person who lives it.
On the flip side, time must also be invested in the “tax-collectors and sinners” (Mt. 9:10-13). “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (9:37b-38). Matthew records that expansion of the kingdom is the commission of disciples. The lost must be found. How will you find them if you are not with them? The Church must refresh this global reach emphasis.
Sounds a lot like Branching OUT! That was a little longer than usual...so thanks for hanging in there and let's live out "with-ness"...with Jesus, with the sinners and the saints!
Press on,
Mike
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[1]. “With-ness” is a composite word that explains the concept of someone continually being together with another. I am indebted to my friend E.Scott Feather for exposure to this word.
[2]. Jesus on one occasion made a clear point that being with Him was more important than doing things for Him. It wasn’t a typical discipleship instruction, but must have been instructive to the disciples none-the-less. The occasion is only included in Luke, although worth mentioning here. “ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42)
[3]. Notice the shift in the proclamation of the gospel (good news) from the beginning of Matthew to the later part of the book. (Italics mine for emphasis)
Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 26:13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
The gospel (good news) is proclaimed first by Jesus, then its proclaimed world-wide. By whom? The disciples! Christ trained them to do it, commissioned them to do it, and assumed they would do it.
[4]. Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
[5]. See Matthew 4:18-22; 10:21, 34-39; 12:46-50.
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