Jesus told us that being a Christian disciple was very important, as spreading the word of God was vital for the continuation of the Christian order. A Disciple of Jesus is a person who follows the teachings of Christ. People take Jesus as an example as he put what he preached into practice, and his disciples follow him in awe, willing to spread his good news.
Jesus said Christians should be like salt, and this applies for disciples aswell. This means that like salt we should purify, preserve and flavour other people’s lives. We should also be like light in that we are visible-Christianity is something that should be seen- we should be a guide like a light and also a warning. A true disciple follows the commandments presented by Jesus on Mount Sinai. These 10 commandments are often referred to as the law and they are a basis as to how we should live our lives.
As a disciple, you should also be forgiving. If someone sins against you, you should not only forgive him seven times as Peter thought; but seventy times seven as Jesus tells us. This means there is no limit as to how many times we should forgive someone. Jesus used the parable of the unforgiving servant to demonstrate this. He tells of a king who was owed a great sum of money by one of his servants. The king let the servant off with this though. A man owed the servant a small amount of money and he still asked for it. The king found out about this and re-instated his debt. The servant should have shown the same forgiveness that he was shown.
Jesus used another story to indicate how we should lead our lives. He told of two house builders; one who built his house on a rock and one on sand. Jesus explained that anyone who hears the words and acts on them was like the wise man that built his house on the rock; that is, nothing would destroy his faith. However, if he heard the word and didn’t act upon it he was like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, his faith would be washed away like the house.
A true disciple must follow the example Jesus set and must live a life modelled on his. It is like becoming born again and involves turning away from sin. You should not worship material things like money. In the story of the rich young man Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Being a disciple is costly. Jesus warned that his disciples might suffer for their faith. They must take up the cross every day and be prepared for ridicule. However he also promised all who follow him will receive life in all its fullness, real freedom and true happiness.
Graydon Winter
