The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:16utc

Lesson Sixteen: YOU KNOW YOU ARE DISCIPLE IF…. (Mark 3:13-19)

"These are the twelve he appointed.." vs.16

Last month it was 20 years since the Jonestown tragedy when to the world's horror, over 900 people committed suicide at the command of one man, Jim Jones. I am currently reading a book by a follower of Jim Jones who only months before this event knew enough about the man to get out. Sharon Layton escaped knowing that many lives were in danger, and leaving behind her mother, father and brother she tried to warn as many as possible of what would certainly transpire. Sharon was a follower of Jim Jones who knew where to draw the line between following and wholehearted committment. Sadly for 900 others this line was blurred.

After reading Mark's account I am not satisfied with the standard explanation that a disciple is merely one who follows Jesus. Many followed Jesus but did not commit their lives to him. To follow someone does not necessarily mean you will go the distance with them. It is in verse 14 that we have the most descriptive picture of discipleship in Marks following words: "He appointed twelve – designated them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out … to have authority to drive out demons." What really is a disciple? Study this passage carefully, measure your life next to it and you will know what kind of disciple you really are. Are you ready? Here are three important qualities to know about a true disciple.

[1] - You know you are a disciple if … you are regularly needing to spend time with the Lord in personal devotions.

Notice Christ called the twelve firstly for the purpose of being with him - "that they might be with him." It was from these moments of intimate fellowship with the Lord that the basics of their Christian lives were formed. The disciples were to understand that you can never serve God until you first know him. Later one of the apostles, John, would value this personal side of discipleship. Reflecting on his relationship with Christ, John now an old man, wrote these words found in his first epistle: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life" (1 John 1:1). Jesus first called his disciples to that mountain, in order that they might be with him.

[2] - You know you are a disciple if … you are compelled to tell others about Jesus.

Jesus removed these potential followers from the world so they might get to know him personally, with the objective of returning them into the world to tell others about the fellowship they too can have with Christ - "That he might send them out." Look again what John says in his first letter: "This we proclaim concerning the word of Life." You will find in your Christian walk that time spent with Christ in intimate fellowship will lead to a life of witness. You just can't spend time with Christ without wanting others to know about him. When my younger sister was dating the man who is now her husband, she was so madly in love with him my wife and I remember that he was all she ever talked about. So it should be with all true disciples. Are you so in love with Christ, having spent moments of intimate fellowship with him, that you are compelled to tell others? Our lack of witness for Christ perhaps betrays a lack of time spent with Christ. Jesus called those disciples to that mountain so that he might send them out.

[3] - You know you are a disciple if … your passion is to see others set free from their sins.

The task to which Jesus sends his disciples is a radical and life changing one. There is nothing light or casual about the life work of a disciple. Leaving that mountain Jesus sends the twelve out to have authority to drive out demons. The disciples were called to a confrontation ministry bringing them into direct conflict with the enemy and with the aim of bringing people to spiritual freedom. It is a task Jesus came to do and one he calls all disciples to. "He sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.." (Luke 4:18)

If you find yourself discipling someone struggling with (or new to) the faith, your final aim ought to be to bring this person to spiritual victory. The key battleground in attaining discipleship is to discover and experience freedom in Christ. Freedom comes only when the devil has been driven out of our lives. The disciples would leave that mountain to return to the ordinary experiences of life with authority given by Christ over the enemy.

Are you a disciple? Look over the points above and prayerfully review how you are doing. Are you discouraged by how poorly your life measures to the call of discipleship? If so, then listen. Jesus is calling you to the mountain. Go and join him. You'll enjoy fellowship with him. He will send you back to bring others to him. See you there.

In every Christian's heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility. -A. W. Tozer