“I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts” Mark 2:17
In Mark, the true qualities of discipleship are related to service and a servant to all. The nature of discipleship is based on love and sacrifice for God and for their neighbours. Being a disciple means that we should reject all forms of evil and to sacrifice our belongings to those who are not as fortunate. We should be able to reflect and accept Jesus, because our faith for God will always be put to test by those who have been too easily tempted by Satan.
“If anyone would come after me…he must deny self and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
In a similar way, we must take up our cross, our life and follow the light of Jesus into heaven. Jesus accepted the cross even though he did not want to. It was a responsibility, which fell upon him. It won’t always be easy to be a follower of Christ as we cannot choose all our responsibilities and not all responsibilities can be pleasant. Since Jesus suffered his ultimate death on the cross, we must also be willing to suffer for him. People who love God must “ deny self” to do God’s will. Aid workers and missionaries live and work in harsh and dangerous conditions for little or no money out of love for God and their neighbour.
In the parable of the rich young man, he refused to give up his riches, as he desperately desired luxury on Earth as well as heaven. The life of a Christian has many emotional and spiritual satisfactions, which are far greater than possessions. Christians should feel that the satisfaction of knowing that you are at rights with God is worth more than possessions, as they feel that it gives their lives real Christian value.
“Go and sell all you have; then come and follow me… gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.” Mark 10:17-27
In contradiction to this, the widow at the treasury gives all that she had to live on as a sign of her love for Jesus and a reflection within her of the nature of discipleship and sacrifice. Underlying Jesus’ statement here is the realization that it is not what is given that matters but the sacrifice that goes into it. Jesus is implying that God values the effort that goes into giving rather than what is given.
“For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had.” Mark 12:41-44
Discipleship makes great demands in our lifestyle, as we must be prepared to face persecution anytime in our lives for Christianity. The contrariety between these to parables indicates that Jesus does not force us to become disciples and to attain the nature of discipleship, but instead as a free choice, which we decide upon.
“Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:35.
Mark’s gospel was written for a church under persecution. The gospel is saying that those who are prepared to sacrifice their lives for Christ will be rewarded, while those who sacrifice Christ for their lives will lose everything. Christians should have the courage to proclaim their faith openly. Being a true disciple brings the reward of everlasting life in heaven with God and we will be returned with love, peace and purity from our family in heaven. We will receive…
“ A hundred times more houses, sisters, mothers, children and field – and persecutions as well” Mark 10:30-31
We will live with God and Jesus and by learning about the good news of God that has descended down to this generation, gives us a depth knowledge about the kingdom of heaven and our true family that awaits for us.
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35
Throughout Mark’s gospel, the nature of discipleship demands great faith in God and it is a preparation to sacrifice and to serve for others. Through this teaching we carry out our own acts of discipleship through charity work and loving and serving our loved ones in Church and around the society we live in. Discipleship offers people different demands and challenges in life.
