(Num 21: 4-9; LK14: 25-27; Heb 12:1-4)
During Jesus' earthly ministry, and during the days of the early church, the term that was used most frequently to designate the Jesus' followers was "disciple". The term ‘disciple’ derives from the Greek word Mathetes, which appears 262 times in the NT. Therefore, discipleship becomes the central theological theme of the Gospels and Acts in particular.
As it is held by some commentators that, the roots of biblical discipleship go deep into the fertile soil of God's calling. That calling is expressed in the pattern of Divine initiative and human response that constitutes the heart of the biblical concept of covenant, manifested in the recurrent promise.
Therefore, God has called his people to represent him on the earth, to be with him in every circumstance of life, to be transformed in personal character to be like him. And that calling is at the heart of biblical discipleship, both in the Old and New Testaments.
However, as we recollect biblical understanding of disciple/discipleship, let us move little further to the concept of the term, so that this recollection will be a great help and instrumental for our self-retrospection;
The concept and understanding of the term ‘disciple’ can be given in diverse ways, for eg;
1. Billy Graham - A disciple is simply someone who believes in Jesus and seeks to follow him in his/her daily life. Originally, of course, a disciple was someone who literally knew Jesus in the flesh and followed him — but after he was taken up into heaven, anyone who was committed to Jesus was called a disciple.
From here, we may highlight ‘points of interest’ that Billy Graham has made; according to him, disciple means;-
- Someone who believes in Jesus
- Who follow him in his/her daily life
- Who literally knew Jesus in the flesh and followed him
- Anyone who was committed to Jesus.
2. Apart from these explanations; we also can draw a clear picture of disciple or the concept of discipleship by making reflection from the life and works of the 12 disciples and from the relationship being established between Jesus and his 12 disciples;
i) When the disciples had received a call from their master, Jesus; they were willing to leave everything including their comfort zone.
ii) Disciples were always at the feet of Jesus. They were very much close to Him. It was in fact; the Jesus movement was incomplete without the presence of even a single member of disciples.
iii) They always keen to offer themselves to listen, to obey and to serve their master.
iv) Although two or three ‘betrayal episodes’ are found from the inner circle, one of the profound remarks we can see from them is – disciples were very much interest in the life and teachings of Jesus.
v) They are not perfect, but in spite of all their weaknesses, their lives were totally controlled by Jesus and his words. It seems, they did not have any other force except self-centredness that ruled over them.
I believed, these few points are quite enough to remind us the true essence of Jesus’ disciple/discipleship. It is also appropriate to make use of self-re-examination. It is, in fact, these understandings of the concept of disciple/discipleship mentioned are to be considered as the qualities and natures that are to be found in every individual Christian life or the quality one must possess or hold on.
But despite of the fact that, the story left behind by many Christian today, which is not interesting at all, because of diverse challenges face by todays’ Christian is – this concept and true nature of disciple/discipleship is gradually fading away from individual Christian life who are expected to exemplify and to demonstrate through their life.
Therefore, as suggested by many, it is essentially necessary to identify the challenges pose by various forces in today's’ world; in order that the consciousness, realization, and awareness of these challenges may help and tell us to find a solution, how to deal with and how to give an appropriate response to these challenges;
1. Imprisonment of the will under the ‘self’
One of the great menaces which is often overlooked by many Christians today, that at the same time, can captivate the individual person, as a result; is ‘imprisonment of individuals’ will’ under the self, which is a little bit different from self-imprisonment.
The ‘self’ however, is the place where we get qualities like – knowledge, love, intimacy, and all other good qualities. It is also a place where the feeling of transgression, hatred, envy, slander and all other bad qualities come into existence. Since it has been diluted and polluted by the power of sin, the self in human becomes the source of evil doings. Therefore, it requires precaution before it spring up and totally control the spiritual realm of the individual. I believe, this is one of the reasons why Jesus said in Mark 8:34 - Whosoever would come after me must deny him/herself.
Although, it is considered as one of the most important qualities that makes a person – a person; it is also one of the sources that brings obstacle, and many more complications on individual human life. For me, it is one of the greatest enemies of individual spirituality which is found within us, and again that often brings inhibition for our spiritual well-being.
Since, the ‘self is the core canter of the mechanism where all individual decisions are made, if the ‘self’ in human is not given proper consideration, it will soon become the best adversary for such a particular person, because it soon be imprisoned individual person including his/her free will under its subjugation. Then, as a consequence, the individual will have so many drawbacks or backsliding behaviours in his/her life.
Then, a person who undergoes draw back situation can never win another soul. As long as a person is under the slave of a polluted self, he/she can never help a person who is in spiritual thirst/problem.
Therefore, in order to win more souls and to get conquest in our spiritual warfare, as we confront the power of darkness; one must win the self and must free from the power of the self; he/she must get rid of this kind of deceiving force of the self.
2. Time management
Time management is another challenge of discipleship today for it adversely affects our way of life including spiritual life of every individual.
Due to drastic changes and development that have come up today, especially in the field of information communication, new media have come up along with various sophisticated technologies. As all know, this development has a far reaching impact on almost every individual life. The most common complaint against technology and its related stuffs is that they are time-sinks that affect productivity and quality of life. It affected our lifestyle, our behaviour, our value system, outlook/attitude, etc. and simultaneously it also has affected and influenced our time management as well.
In addition, as media have captured almost all our valuable and leisure times, we are now in controlled by the power of media. Since the power and effect of media is so strong, our entire ways of life, including our time management have become under the pursuant of media influence.
Statista.com estimated that there are 250 million active social media users in India alone in 2018. And the average time spent by the users is 2-3 hour/day. But for us, the number is probably more than that. Perhaps, it may cross 3 for some, and sometimes 4 -5 hours in a day for some. However the same source says, “Low self-control is a major key in the overuse of technology and the reason why excessive engagement is made by many people”.
We are not against the usefulness of technology or any other media. I rather hold the opinion that, it is helpful for our academic purpose and for other related official works. But since time management is very important for our success in the ministry of God as well as for individual spiritual upbringing; and moreover, since poor time management can in turn affect not only individual spiritual life, but also the academic performance of every individual; a person who is going to be involved in ‘the God’s Oikos management’ must take a deep concern on it.
Lastly, for those who undergo this kind of problem; a person who are struggling with the forces of ‘the self within’ and the problem of time management for the improvement of individual spiritual growth; I would like to make only two simple suggestions that are to be considered as ‘a way out’ for every individual who is unable to remain still due to the thirst for their spiritual upbringing.
1. As found in the letter to the Hebrews: ‘Looking unto Jesus’ is one of the best answers and the way out of our spiritual struggle. By simply looking at Him, we can get victory over our spiritual warfare.
Though Jesus has all the answers to our problems, we sometimes do not realize his sovereignty, his love and mercy; who cares for us and who has all the answers for our tussles. By simply looking at Him, we are being promised; spiritual restoration, renewal, and revitalization as found from Num 21:3ff which says, in v 8 & 9 - The LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. This is only a figurative of Christ’s salvific act on the cross, for those who want to look unto Him and get healed.
2. LK 14:27 says, whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. This particular verse has various meanings for e.g.;
- The true followers of Christ must at once build and fight, and therefore be ready and prepared to endure all types of miseries.
- ‘Own cross’ may signify whatever is trying and disagreeable to flesh and blood.
- Jesus carried his cross to be crucified the sinful flesh; therefore this will indicate that cross is meant not only for pain or suffering but for dying. Likewise, our own cross is to let crucify and to let it die, desire of individual self-i.e. the self within or the self which is found within us.
However, in contrast to this understanding; those who are under the slave of the ‘self’ do not carry at all their own cross. Therefore willingness to bear or to carry one’s own cross is the easiest way to defeat the self. Even if the world philosophy holds the maxim which says – ‘life for the self’; in contrary, the word of God says – ‘die to self and live for Christ’
This is how we shall have a fullness of life in Christ; a life that is constantly ready to overcome the power and different forces of the darkness.
