It seems Jesus-freak-like to call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ in today’s world. Normally, we say we are Christians and then tag on our religious denomination just to be clear. Of course, Christian is a perfectly acceptable New Testament label, but does calling oneself a Christian in the 21^stcentury, post-modern, western world really tell people who we are? It might in other countries, but in North America it denotes more of what we are not rather than what we are. 

A Christian on our side of the world is not an atheist, agnostic, cult member, Jew, or involved in any of the myriad of Eastern or Muslim religions. This label does not necessarily tell people that we are born-again followers of Jesus Christ. Many people who call themselves Christian have never accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. They have never been born-again. The neighbor who takes the Lord’s name in vain with every breath and curses the evangelical church down the street might call herself Christian just as often as the aunt who served the Lord every day for 70 years in Africa. The world makes no differentiation. 

The term Christian has lost its peculiarity over the last 2000 years. In the early church, people gave their lives because they were called Christian. Christians were hunted and slaughtered by the thousands. An individual had to count the cost before claiming she was a student of Jesus, a Christian. This is also true for our brothers and sisters in many Eastern and Muslim countries today. However, in the United States there are few, if any, costs to consider if we want to use the label Christian. It has become as generic as Kleenex. 

Assuming we want to be clear about our relationship with Jesus, I have to wonder why we shy away from telling others we are disciples of Jesus. Could it be we like being part of the generic crowd? Are we uncomfortable with being peculiar? Are we afraid to let our light shine and to be salty salt? Or could it be that if we claim to be disciples of Jesus then we are going to have to start acting like one? It is much easier to be a western culture Christian than a New Testament disciple.

Believe me when I assure you I am talking to the choir here. I rarely use the term disciple when describing myself, especially in person. It is a lot easier to write it than to say it to someone or a group of someones. For example, I met a dear sister in the Lord who always uses disciple instead of Christian when the opportunity arises. In fact, my first encounter with her was when she introduced herself in a Bible study as “a disciple of Jesus the Christ.” You can well imagine the stunned looks and pious gasps circling the room. 

She shared with me that most people take this introduction either as a quirky way to introduce herself or they consider her to be a holier than thou type. Neither is true. She is a strong believer and student of Jesus and His Word. She simply wants to use biblical terminology to describe her life in Christ that does not send a watered-down message. I believe this desire is growing among many born-again believers and I am thankful.

To a lost and dying world, we are not distinguished by our religious affiliations or denominational subgroups. The world drops us all, quite unceremoniously, into the religious hypocrite’s pit. We are distinguished and peculiar when we are first willing to behave like disciples of Jesus and we count the cost for doing so. Then, and only then, will we be enthusiastic students and be brave enough to be called disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Discussion

What is Jesus teaching His disciples in the following verses? How can you apply this teaching in your life?

• Luke 14:33

• Matthew 10:42

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

This was the very question Peter had to address and answer, not in theory, but in the real world. 

Matthew 26:69-75 gives us the question, presented in three different ways, which Peter needed to answer. We often refer to it as Peter’s denial and rightly so because that is what Scripture calls it. Too often we are swift to condemn Peter for his blatant lack of support in Jesus’ greatest hour of need.

We judge quickly without considering our own experience in this classroom called life. 

Peter was actually confronted with three statements not questions, but I am restating them here as questions because that’s really what they were. They were questions about Peter’s loyalty as a disciple, something that was highly regarded in the first century.

The first confrontation came from a servant-girl. Now that’s humiliating! Big, tough Peter is being challenged by a servant and a girl no less: a mere child. 

Question 1: “Were you with Jesus the Galilean?”

Peter’s Answer: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Are we even recognizable enough to be asked if we are with Jesus? If we are, how do we answer this question? Do we say we know of Him or that we actually know Him? Are we brave enough to say we are with Him? There is a big difference in those three possible responses.

The second confrontation was also from a servant-girl, but it wasn’t even directed to Peter. Her question was directed to others in the courtyard. Peter felt compelled to answer.

Question 2: “Wasn’t this man with Jesus of Nazareth?”

Peter’s Answer: “I am telling you all, I do not know the man.”

I don’t know why this girl rephrased the question, but it was a chance for Peter to change his answer. He didn’t. In fact, he made sure everyone in that courtyard heard that he did not know Jesus and he sealed it with an oath. We may not think we would ever say we don’t know Jesus, but what are some of the behaviors we have that shout, “I do not know Jesus”?

The third confrontation comes from several bystanders who push for the truth.

Question 3: “Doesn’t the way you talk prove you’re one of them?”

Peter’s Answer: “@X%, I do not know the man!”

Here we see Peter hit his all-time low, reverting back to his previous language habits. Could it be he was trying to prove by his speech that he couldn’t possibly know Jesus? Have we ever been guilty of similar actions? Maybe we’ve laughed at a crude joke or joined in on juicy gossip just so people won’t think we’re a Jesus Freak. 

Our theme verses (John 13:34-35) have one exam question. How will men and women (the world) know we are Jesus’ disciples? We’ve determined that a big chunk of that answer is by loving one another. True discipleship living is marked by the love we have for one another and then bravely exhibiting that love to the world. Are we willing to put off lukewarm Christianity and exchange it for an on-fire, dynamic life of a disciple devoted to our Master Teacher? 

Discussion

What is Jesus teaching His disciples in the following verses? How can you apply this teaching in your life?

• Luke 19:37

• John 4:27