If you walked into work one day and announced you were now a disciple of your favorite teacher, you probably would get a variety of responses ranging from curious nods to disapproving looks to “She’s finally lost it.” We just don’t use this term very much outside of discussions about the early church believers. When we do use it in modern terms, it is usually not in a good way and in the context of discussing cults or modern day false teachers. Yet the word “disciple” is used 269 times in the New Testament and almost always in a positive sense.
In ancient Greece it was common for a man with any learning to be a disciple of someone, usually a teacher who himself was trained in a particular school of thought. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle each had their own schools and disciples. Some of their disciples would then become teachers and instruct their own band of disciples within the schools long after these men of renown were dead. In fact, when I looked up ancient philosophers, the list was a thousand strong just within Greek influence.
This Greek influence was strong in Jewish culture as sects developed their own schools and teachers within to propagate their philosophies and belief systems without. If you were an aspiring Pharisee and a disciple of Saul, you didn’t just take a one hour class once a week. You ate, drank, and slept all things Saul. If you wanted to become a Pharisee of Pharisees, you placed yourself under Saul’s 24- hour tutelage and you would be known as “So and so, a disciple of Saul the Pharisee.” It was a big deal to commit to a particular school, philosophy, and teacher. It was basically your “tag” for life.
Much like the Greeks, these different Jewish groups were at odds with one another more often than they agreed on anything. (Sound familiar?) The religious sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes) didn’t want anything to do with the political groups (Zealots and Sicarii) and these factions barely acknowledged each other on the street. The Gospels, Epistles, and historical accounts are replete with examples of these sects squabbling with each other and trying to outdo one another. But there was one thing, one person, they were all obsessed with: Jesus.
When it came to Jesus, they all agreed he had to be dealt with. Why? He was stealing their popularity and that just would not be tolerated. Jesus made them look bad. He exposed their hypocrisy. He drew the masses from their legalistic hopelessness to the eternally impossible, yet approachable grace of God. Jesus was a wanted man throughout his earthly ministry. It was no small matter for a man to align himself with Jesus as His disciple.
Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.“
Matthew 8:20
And it certainly was no small matter that not only were women involved with the ministry of Jesus, they were welcomed in as fellow students (Luke 10:38-42). This was unheard of in that day and further proof Jesus was a fanatic needing to be silenced.
Little did these sects know that silencing Jesus (death on the cross) would not disable Him, but rather exalt Him before the whole universe! Instead of disbanding His meager band of disciples, they were empowered by the Comforter (who was promised by Jesus) and propagated the largest revival in history, changing the world in Jesus’ name. In good religious zealot form, the sects tried to silence the members of what they saw as a new cult, but that didn’t work either and it hasn’t worked since. The true church of Jesus (born-again disciples) just will not go away.
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matthew 16:18
One Another Living 