Explain what a study of Saint Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Explain what a study of Saint Mark’s Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship

The word disciple is derived from the Latin “discipulusi” meaning pupil or learner. In Mark’s gospel we hear of the disciples of the Pharisees and the followers of John the Baptist being known as disciples. Although Jesus is not ‘officially’ recognised as a teacher he was popularly known as a teacher (11:21) and his associates were known as disciples. The word could be used to describe all those who responded to his message but it generally applies to a select 12 named in 3:16-19, who were all called personally by Jesus. This is very significant, because 12 is the Jewish number of perfection. These 12 were not, as one may expect ‘model citizens’, or even senior members of the church. To be a disciple then meant an exclusive loyalty to Jesus and readiness to put Jesus first whatever the cost. He chose the disciples in order to train them to share in his work of preaching and healing, and to eventually carry on his mission after he had departed. In a sense he was to live on in them. Such an attitude goes well beyond the normal pupil-teacher relationship, giving the word disciple a whole new meaning.

The first five disciples to be called all left and followed Jesus immediately. They gave up everything: family, jobs and security. The first two to be called were Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, saw them in their boat and said:

“Come with me, and I will teach you to catch men.” (1:17)

Then he came across two others, James and John, they too left and followed him without hesitation. Levi, was the fifth – a tax collector – a social outcast. Yet he gave up everything to follow Jesus. ...

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“Come with me, and I will teach you to catch men.” (1:17)

“I have chosen you to be with me, I will also send you out to preach, and you will have authority to drive out demons.” (3:14-15)

Not all people reacted to Jesus’ call as the twelve. The Rich Young Man for example, when Jesus told him to go and sell everything he had and give the money to the poor gloom spread over his face and he walked away saddened.

Jesus brought the disciples together and he sent them out two by two. He gave authority over evil spirits and told them strictly to bring nothing with them on their journey except a stick – no bread, beggar’s bag, money. To wear sandals and not even to carry an extra shirt. This signifies the urgency of the mission. It must have been a very daunting task for the disciples. The mission Jesus was sending them on would have been very exerting on them – both emotionally and physically. With no good roads or public transport and with the size of the area to cover travel would have been difficult. Jesus tried to help them by teaming them up and giving them a companion along the way. Jesus also gave them instructions that if they were not welcomed in a place to:

“Leave it and shake the dust off your feet” (6:11)

This would be a warning to the people. Jesus also told his disciples:

“Anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the Gospel, will receive much more in this present age.” (10:29-30)

He then told them that the “more” that they would receive, would include persecutions as well, but in the end they would be rewarded with eternal life in heaven.

The disciples had to listen carefully to what Jesus taught so that they to cold learn about discipleship. Jesus used various images to portray discipleship, mainly parables. The parable of the Sower is one that Jesus had to explain to his disciples. He explained to them that some people react negatively to the Word of God like the seed that landed on the path or in the thorns where they either let the devil or materialism take over. But, as disciples they were to act like the seed that fell on the good soil:

“Hear the message, accept it, and bear fruit.” (4:20)

For the disciples this meant listening to the message, acting on the message and influencing others by spreading and living by the message. The story regarding The Rich Young Man – challenged and encouraged them to practice self-sacrifice. The Widow at the Treasury is another example of self-sacrifice, where the woman gave up everything she had. Therefore Jesus showed the disciples that discipleship involves total commitment and is very demanding.

On many occasions the disciples failed to realise exactly who Jesus was and what his job as “Messiah” actually involved, because the word Messiah at that time was seen as a military power who would free the Jews from Roman rule by force. As their time together elapsed the disciples began to recognise his role as a “Suffering Messiah”. James and John failed to recognise Jesus as this when they asked him for ‘prime’ seats in heaven, and in the story of The Calming of the Storm the disciples failed to recognise Jesus as being “all-powerful”, when they thought they were all going to drown. In the garden of Gethsemane three of Jesus’ closest disciples let him down when they fell asleep when he told them to:

“Stay here and keep watch.” (14:32)

Then once after Jesus was arrested all the disciples ran away in far that they too would be arrested. Then Peter failed Jesus when he denied knowing him in the courtyard of the High Priest’s house.

The commission shows us that Jesus forgave his disciples for failing him. He wanted his disciples to continue spreading the Good News and to:

“Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind.” (16:15)