What Does It Mean to be a Disciple of Christ?
Being a disciple of someone can be the most challenging, and yet rewarding journey you can go on. Jesus’ call to follow Him results in rest for your spiritual soul because He has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). At the same time, however, it will be the most arduous and costly earthly decision you can make. It can bring divided relationships, loss of monetary gain, and even persecution. If that is not inviting enough, Jesus demands one other specific thing for His followers, and an unattainable standard at that: “you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew. 5:48). With such high stakes, why would a person want to follow Christ and be His disciple?
This article will discuss what a disciple is and what the relationship between a master and student looks like. This special relationship with Jesus as Master has a cost and will demand a payment, will be a progressive experience, but has the promise of continual help with a reward in the end.
Jesus said, “everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven…he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Matthew 10:32, 40; John 13:20). What Jesus demands of His disciples will seem costly; but may what follows in this article be encouraging for those who decide to “take up their cross and follow Him” (Matthew 10:38).
What Is a Disciple?
Education was important to the first-century Jews. Boy and girls would enter “the House of the Book” at age five and would be taught how to read and write using the Torah. They would graduate from there and move to “the House of Study” where they would go through the rest of the books of the Old Testament. A doctoral level of education, known as “the House of Study,” followed this for those who could pass the entrance exam; and those who did not, went into the family practice.
Those desiring the path of discipleship usually began at fourteen to fifteen years old. They would find a rabbi who would test them to see if they could make the cut of being their disciple. If so, then they would be a disciple until the age of thirty.
First-century rabbis usually started their ministries at the age of thirty. This is about the age which Jesus started his ministry (Luke 3:23), except Jesus was a bit different than the traditional rabbis. Here are the differences:
- Jesus seemed to have stayed in the family business as a carpenter rather than living in a rabbi’s household and studying (Matthew 13:53–56; Mark 6:1–3); however, he had still earned the title of “Rabbi” (e.g. Matthew 9:11; Luke 12:13; John 3:2).
- Jesus sought out His followers rather than waiting for them to come to Him (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9).
- He specifically sought out those who may not have been of great repute like fishermen and tax collectors. This says a lot about who can be a disciple of Christ and demonstrates that He seeks for and desires to have every kind of person follow Him.
Jesus gives an invitation to all to be his disciples. He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
In these verses, the word “disciple” is not used, but the idea of “learn” indicates that whoever comes to Jesus will be one who becomes like him from his teaching and conduct.
The word translated as “disciple” in the English versions of the Bible, simply means a “learner” of someone, in the Greek language. The disciple’s learning would depend on what kind of master he chose to follow—at that time, this could have been a Greek Sophist, a Pharisee, a Rabbi, etc. This relationship assumed that there would be a sustained commitment of the follower to the master and his particular teaching or mission. The relationship would impact the personal life of the disciple as well as change the conduct and thinking of the disciple to imitate the master’s. When this was achieved, the disciple would be able to graduate and move on from being a disciple.
If you want to know what the Bible says about Servant Leadership, check out this article “Effective Followers: A Biblical Perspective.”
Characteristics of Discipleship
A dedicated disciple was usually expected to become a rabbi himself; but Jesus told His disciples that they will have a lifetime of discipleship because He will always be their rabbi (Matt. 23:8–12).
Jesus further outlines this by saying that “a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master” (Matt. 10:24–25a; c.f. Luke 6:40; John 13:16). The master was always held in high esteem and treated as such; but regardless of the perks which His title gave Him, Jesus taught and acted out a different pathway for His disciples to follow.
At the Lord’s Supper in John 13:5–17, Jesus portrayed what a true follower should do. With His trusted disciples all reclining and having supper, Jesus girded Himself with a towel, filled a basin with water, and set out to wash and dry His disciples’ feet. This was refused by His disciples, namely Simon Peter; but Jesus insisted that they will understand His actions later.
Jesus told them, “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you” (vv. 12–14).
Jesus’ example to His disciples demonstrated the true nature of their discipleship: servanthood. This is further defined in Mark 10:35–45 (c.f. Luke 22:24–27). James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus asking for Him to do whatever they asked of Him. Jesus complied and listened to their request to sit on His right and left side in glory.
Using this moment to teach His followers, Jesus said that such a request is in the Father’s possession to give; however, “whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all” (vv. 43–44). Such a point articulated the nature of discipleship and was further defined in Jesus’ purpose statement in the next verse.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Servanthood is the path which a disciple of Christ is to follow; but Jesus gives more specific demands and warnings concerning His followers’ actions and conduct. He spoke these things plainly to His disciples, but they were carefully concealed from the masses (Matt. 13:11, 14–15). It was His true disciples who sought out the meanings of Jesus’ teachings, and Jesus explained it to them privately (Mark 4:11, 34). Jesus would reveal His innermost thoughts and secrets to them because He considers His disciples as friends (John 15:15). Therefore, discipleship brings one into a level of intimacy with Christ, where simply having knowledge about Him does not.
The purpose of describing the master/disciple relationship, is to demonstrate the importance of following Jesus’ demands which He gave His disciples. Jesus’ demands will involve leaving parents and possessions, receiving persecution, and being perfect in all actions. This is the call of becoming a disciple. If one is not willing to do what Jesus taught, then one is not worthy of Him (Matt. 10:37–38; Luke 14:25–27). It is, thus, wise to sit down and consider the costs to following Him (Luke 14:28–32).
The Cost of Becoming a Disciple
The Payment
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44).
As Jesus taught in the parable of the Hidden Treasure and Costly Pearl (Matt. 13:44–46), it is worth selling everything to be a disciple of God’s kingdom (c.f. vs. 52). The price is everything one has so that everyone has an equal chance of purchasing it. However, the cost is more personal than just monetary means and Jesus was not shy in disclosing the requirements of being His disciple.
Relationships
Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword. He came to “set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Matt. 10:34–36). Unfortunately, a man’s enemies will be the members of his family when he puts following Christ before family ties (Luke 12:49–53).
Family
“He who loves [the members of his family] more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26). Jesus demands that He has precedence over one’s family if one wants to follow Him. This does not mean that one neglects family. Just as Jesus said to the man who wished to say good-bye to his family first, everyone who desires to put family before Christ cannot look forward and follow Him in a straight line (Luke 9:61–62). Family can steer one away from following Christ; but the trade-off is a new heavenly family (Matt. 12:46–50).
Self
Jesus demands that He also receives precedence over one’s own life. One cannot love his physical life more than he loves his eternal spiritual life with Christ (Matt. 16:25; see also John 12:25–26; Rev. 12:11). He tells a person to “deny self and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24–26; Luke 9:23; also Matt. 10:38–39).
In order to carry one’s cross, you must give up selfish ambition. If one is not willing to carry his own cross and follow Christ, he is not worthy of Him (Luke 14:27). The cross is a symbol of suffering and death; and Christ’s death gave the picture of what following Him will entail (e.g. betrayal, beatings, crucifixion; Luke 22:47–23:46). Death was conquered by Christ’s resurrection (1 Cor. 15). So then, whoever wishes to save his own life will lose it, but if he loses it for Christ’s sake, he will find it (Matt. 16:25).
Possessions
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
When a scribe came to Jesus and told Him that he would follow Him wherever He went, Jesus warns him that the Son of Man is essentially homeless (Matt. 8:19–20; Luke 9:57–58). The wealthy scribe would have to be willing to give up earthly securities if he wanted to follow Jesus.
Another person wanted to follow Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father” (Matt. 8:21–22; Luke 9:59–60). This did not mean that the father was already dead. This was a common figure of speech that meant, “Let me wait until I receive my inheritance.” Jesus demands that one seek Him first before gathering one’s wealth.
When a rich man came to Jesus and asked what he must do to obtain eternal life, Jesus said that he only lacked one thing to be complete, “go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matt. 19:21–22; Luke 18:22–23).” This caused the rich man to go away sad because he had great wealth.
Rather than following the world’s ideology and saying, “He is happiest who possesses most,” Jesus taught that “He is happiest who is himself possessed by Christ.”
Jesus warned his disciples about materialism and seeking rewards from men (Matt. 6:1–5; 19-24). Far better is treasure in heaven than possessions here on earth. Far better is a reward from the Father when deeds are done in secret than when done to be noticed by man. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters because one will be loved more than the other. Therefore, if one is not willing to give up all his own possessions if that is where his heart is, he cannot truly be a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:33).
Persecution
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).
Jesus warns His disciples that they will receive persecution because they follow Him. The reason for this hatred from the world is because the world hates Christ (Matt. 10:16–23; John 15:18–25). If Jesus had not come and spoken to them about their sin, they would have no guilt. But since He did, they are without excuse.
The Progression
Become Children of God
“He who does the will of my father who is in heaven will enter [heaven]…for this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day,” (Matt. 12:50b; John 6:40).
Believe in Christ
Because it is not God’s will that anyone perishes (Matt 18:14; John 3:16), it is the work of God that all people come to believe in Christ, become born again of the Spirit, and enter into God’s family with Him as the Father (John 3:1–8; 6:29; 35–40). Jesus gives the invitation as being the Bread of Life which one will never spiritually hunger again upon eating (6:26–51). When He said, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life,” many of His disciples grumbled and turned away; but those who truly wanted to follow and be part of Christ stayed (John 6:52–71). They knew He had “the words of eternal life,” (John 6:68).
Trust God
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me,” (John 14:1–3).
Jesus tells His disciples that they are to proclaim what He teaches them in private to the world (Matt. 10:27). Persecution will be inevitable for those who carry their cross and walk the path of Christ. His followers will also be tempted to fear men. Jesus challenges His disciples to not fear men because they can only harm the body; but God can destroy both soul and body in hell (vs. 28).
The Father clothes the grass of the field and provides for the birds of the air; and yet He cares for His children more so (Matt. 6:25–32; c.f. Luke 12:1–32). For this reason, the Father knows what you need to sustain life and He provides it. “So, do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” (Matt. 6:34). There is no need to worry about it like those who do not have a Heavenly Father. A disciple is to seek first God’s kingdom and all these things will be provided (vs. 33).
Seek First His Kingdom
Because life is sustained by God, those who seek His kingdom should strive to be rich toward Him rather than seeking treasure on earth (Luke 12:13–34). For this reason, Jesus tells His disciples to sell their possessions and give to charity, making for themselves “a money belt that never fades, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys,” (vs. 33). Much like competing for allegiance between two masters (Luke 16:13), “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, (12:34).”
The Father has gladly chosen to give His children the kingdom (Luke 12:32). Therefore, Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock, because the Father gives what is good to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:7–11). When a disciple “render[s] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17), he will learn to be a faithful and sensible steward who is ready at all times for the return of their master, seeks the Father’s will, and will be given more to glorify God with (Luke 12:35–48; c.f. 19:11–27). But this requires action and obedience to Christ’ commands in order to be fruitful and faithful.
Obedience to Christ
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them…he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock” (Luke 6:46–48a; c.f. Matt. 7:24–27).
Jesus compared His true followers to a wise builder who laid his foundation on the rock. When a flood occurred and torrents burst against the house, it still stood. In contrast, the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the sand (Luke 6:49). When the floods came and the torrents crashed into the house, it fell with great ruin.
Through this comparison, Jesus points out that His way is the best and most secure way. The fact that He is the Lord, indicates that whoever makes Him the master of their life—the ultimate decision maker—will always be on solid ground in times of trouble. But if one does not obey, then who will hold him in times of trouble? When a person walks alone, he is bound to stumble and grope, for so many of life’s problems are beyond one’s own solution. By trying to settle it on one’s own can result in taking a wrong way.
On the flipside, Jesus also said that not all those who call Him, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21–23; c.f. Luke 13:22–30). They may do deeds in His name—for there is power in it (Phil. 2:9–11)—but they do not do the will of the Father which is foremost, believing in Christ (see above, Believe in Christ), and then working toward reaching out to others to believe (John 6:29; see below, Make Disciples).
These false prophets bare bad fruit, which is not pleasing to the Father (Matt. 7:15–20); whereas, those who are from the True Vine bare good fruit which glorifies the Father (John 15:1–11).
Those who are true disciples of Christ and do the will of the Father are illustrated as being light and salt on the earth (Matt. 5:13–16). Because Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12), it should logically follow that His disciples would be too. This is why Jesus tells them so.
It is those who do evil who hate the Light and fear coming to it because of being illumined and judged (John 3:19–20). “But those who practice the truth come to the Light so that their deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God “(vs. 21).
Perfection
Christ came to fulfill the Law and He tells His disciples to not only teach it, but to do it as well (Matt. 5:17–20). Christ’s disciples are to be different from the scribes and Pharisees and people of the world. Their righteousness is to surpass those who believe they can do it on their own. In fact, they are to be perfect, as their heavenly Father is perfect (vs. 48).
“This is not the imposition of an impossible and ultimately frustrating standard of perfection on believers. It is rather the insistence that the nature of God—in all of its perfection— is the guide for behavior in the new age of salvation.”
This is why the apostle Peter can later say in reference to becoming like Christ, “you are to be holy as [God] is holy” (1 Peter 1:14–16; c.f. Lev. 11:44). This is the standard for behavior which a child of God is to follow.
Jesus gave specific examples of what He demanded from His disciples in order to follow a perfect standard and to act accordingly in the kingdom of heaven.
Oaths
“But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet…but let your statement be, ‘yes, yes’ or ‘no, no;’ anything beyond these is of evil,” (Matt. 5:33–37).
The Old Testament Sundry Laws said not to steal, deal falsely, nor lie to one another, nor swear falsely by God’s name so as to profane it (Lev. 19:11–12). To be a disciple of Jesus means that one’s character, deeds, and words should always be that of truth. There should be no reason for a person to not take a disciple of Christ at his word (e.g. “yes, yes” and “no, no”). This is the character of Christ (John 14:6) and should, thus, be that of His disciples.
Judging
Jesus demands that one does not judge, because everyone has a log in their own eye; so, how can they see clearly to remove the speck in another’s eye (Matt. 7:5). When a person judges another, the standard which they use is usually a standard which they cannot keep themselves; thus, condemning themselves at the same time. Jesus says that the same measure one uses must be used by everyone. The perfect measure is Christ, and so He is the one fit for judging the world (John 3:16–19).
The disciples are told to only judge their fellow brother in Christ by, first, showing his sin in private (Matt. 18:15–17). This is to restore fellowship with each other and with the church. If the brother does not want to repent, then he is to be treated like a sinner.
Revenge
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also,” (Matt. 5:38–42).
When a person does evil to another, the way of the kingdom of heaven is to do the polar of Satan’s way. Jesus’ way of dealing with evil actions is not revenge; but countering it with the remedy it needs, love and prayer.
Love
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this than one lay down his life for his friends,” (John 15:12–13).
Jesus said that His friends are those who do what He commands; and His command is to love one another (John 15:14; 17). Ultimately, one is to love God with all their heart; and the second is like it, to love one’s neighbor (Matt. 22:37–40). One way that love can be demonstrated is by following what is called the Golden Rule: “in everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” (Matt. 7:12).
“Love for God and love for others fulfills the whole law because these imperatives reflect the essential nature of God, whose love motivates his behavior toward all of creation.”
Jesus said to love one’s enemies also (Matt. 5:43–47). In so doing this, one demonstrates that he is a son of the Father in heaven. This is because the unrighteous and sinners do good to those who love them; but who does good to those who do not love them?
The culture of heaven demands a different attitude, for the Father sends helpful rain on the good and the bad alike. For this reason, a disciple of Christ is to love their enemies. They are to pray for those who persecute them (see below, Prayer), and also forgive those who sin against them.
Forgive
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions,” (Matt. 6:14–15; c.f. vs. 12).
When Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive his brother when he sinned against him (Matt. 18:21), he gave what seemed to be a magnanimous answer in terms of Jewish rabbinical teaching standards. Rabbi’s taught that it was only necessary to forgive up to three times. This is because God only forgave Israel’s enemies three times in the book of Amos (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13). Jesus taught that a person should forgive seventy times seven times—an innumerable amount (Matt. 18:22–35).
Make Disciples
Prayer
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest,” (Matt. 9:37–38).
A special note should be taken when it comes to disciples and prayer. Jesus was known for going into the mountains early in the morning to pray (e.g. Mark 1:35). It is so important to Him that He modeled prayer for them. This is known as the Lord’s Prayer, but is better classified as the Disciple’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13). Jesus also prayed specifically for their future in the world. He prayed that they would be one together (John 17:11, 20–23), kept from the evil one (vs. 15), and sanctified in the truth of God’s word (vs. 17).
Jesus encouraged and challenged His disciples to pray and ask the Father for anything so that their fruit would remain (Matt. 7:7–11; 18:19–20; John 15:16), and that their joy would be made full (John 16:23–24). He especially said to pray for their unbelieving enemies who persecute them (Matt. 5:44) and more workers to reach out to unbelievers (9:37–38).
The Great Commission
“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).
From the very beginning, when Jesus told the disciples to follow Him, He said they would become “fishers of men.” Following Christ should naturally result in evangelizing and reaching out to the world. In other words, to do God’s will is to continually seek after lost sheep like a shepherd (Matt. 18:10–14).
Jesus finalized this initial call to discipleship by making it into a command. He told the disciples to go and make disciples of all ethnic groups by baptizing and teaching new converts (Matt. 28:18-20). What is interesting about Jesus’ command here, is that the disciple has not become the Rabbi and is gathering his own disciples now.
The disciples are making disciples of Christ. They are baptizing them as a public declaration that they are following Christ in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and they will be taught to observe—“to keep, to guard”—the commands of Jesus.
This is one reason why Jesus will always be the only Rabbi whose teachings are observed (Matt. 23:8). A second reason is because of His promise to His disciples: He will always be with them to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20b).
The Promise
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33).
It should be specially noted that this sustaining promise to be with His disciples to the “end of the age” should rightly assume that the command to make disciples also endures to the end of the age. The promise and the command go together until the end of the age—the “age” being that of the Spirit and of grace.
Because Jesus went up to the Father, He promised that whatever His disciples asked in His name it would be done for them (Luke 24:51; John 14:12–14; 15:16). When two or more gather together in His name, He is in their midst and will do for them what they agree upon on earth (Matt. 18:19–20). Those who leave everything on earth for His name’s sake, will receive many times as much and will inherit eternal life (19:29). This is their promised reward.
The Disciples’ Reward
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven,” (Matt. 6:1).
Publicizing one’s work for God in order to be noticed by man will render one’s reward as being void (Matt. 6:16–17; c.f. 23:1–7). For this reason, Jesus warns His followers not to practice righteousness for man but for the Father who is in heaven (Matt. 6:1–6). Just as Jesus mentioned in His sermon on the mount, “Blessed are you when men ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man, be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:22–23a).
Those who leave behind everything on earth for Christ’s name sake will receive a hundred times as much in this present age in terms of close community and having all things in common, as well as receiving persecution (Mark 10:29–30; Luke 18:28–30; c.f. Acts 2:44–47). However, there is no greater reward for believing in Christ and following Him, than eternal life with God in heaven (Matt. 19:20; Mark 10:30; John 17:3).
Conclusion
“Discipleship is, therefore, best understood as a journey, a direction, an orientation of one’s life toward becoming like Christ.”
A person is not only called to become a disciple of Christ; but must also be willing to accept the cost of becoming a disciple. Following Christ involves sacrifices which are far from comfortable; such things being, division of relationships, separation from monetary gain, and receiving persecution for Christ’s name sake.
For those who decided to believe in Christ and take up their cross and follow Jesus, there are certain demands which Christ wants His disciples to follow. A disciple is not to take oaths but to let all their words be truthful. They are not to distribute revenge but are to forgive those who do wrong to them. Evil is to be countered with love and prayer because this shows one to be a son of the Father in heaven.
A disciple’s actions are to be perfect like their heavenly Father’s. At the same time, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to keep the commands of Christ. Jesus promises His disciples that He will be with them always as they follow Him on earth, until they receive eternal life in heaven as their reward.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples,” (John 15:5, 8).
- Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
For Further Study
- If you want to learn more about Jesus and His glory, consider checking out my book “Believe: A Commentary on the Gospel of John” [You can get it on Amazon, here]
- If you want to know more about this Jesus, check out “The Ultimate Guide to Salvation in Jesus Christ.” Let Jesus work miracles in your life by making him your Lord and Savior.