What can a study of St Mark's Gospel tell Christians about the nature of discipleship.

Authors Avatar

What can a study of St Mark’s Gospel tell Christians about the nature of discipleship.

A disciple is someone who believes in and helps to spread the teachings of one another. St Mark’s Gospel helps us understand the nature of discipleship through various stories concerning the disciples. In Mark’s Gospel, the disciples are called apostles whenever they are sent out by Jesus on a mission of teaching and healing. The disciples are told to travel light on their mission, Jesus said, “Take nothing for your journey except a staff- no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.” Jesus does not want his disciples to be burdened down by material possessions.  Real Christian discipleship requires total commitment. It is about sacrificing everything for the service of God. It is not important about the quantity you give but the quality, and leave yourself totally dependant on God for survival.

In the calling of the first four disciples Jesus calls them individually, this shows how great his power and charisma drew them to him. Jesus said, “Come follow me”. They immediately responded without doubt and followed him. They left all their belongings and families to follow him no matter what. Jesus told the disciples, “I will make you fishers of men”. Jesus meant they would bring people into the family of God. They would follow Jesus’ footsteps and spread the good news and convert people to Christianity.

Join now!

Jesus called a crowd to him along with his disciples and said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up the cross and follow me.”  The cost of discipleship’s threefold. To deny ‘self’ means Jesus’ followers must always put other people’s needs before their own. Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” They must be honest, resist temptation. Learn to say no and love others which may lead to making sacrifices for them. Christian disciples should put their own needs and wishes last.  To ‘take up your cross’ ...

This is a preview of the whole essay