What is A Disciple?

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher
Matthew 23:8

As I continue my reflections on the mission of the church I ask myself, "What is a disciple?" The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Disciples are students. They follow the teachings and example of their teacher. Jesus was called Rabbi by some of his followers. Even some of the religious leaders referred to Jesus as Rabbi.

On definition for the word Rabbi is "my great one or my honorable sir." It is a term of honor bestowed on a revered teacher given by their students. It's not a term that should be used lightly.

Jesus once warned Hos disciples about seeking to be honored with such titles, for He saw the hypocrisy of the scribes and pharisees of His day.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12)

Two things are clear from this teaching. First, disciples of Jesus have only one teacher, and that is Jesus Christ. All too often we make our pastors or youth leaders or other personalities in the church to become the one we praise and give honor. Church can become a cult of personality, rather than followers of Jesus alone. Second, when being honored by others, true disciples will always divert the honor to Jesus. The disciple who humbles himself is closer to Christ than the disciple who seeks the applause of others. Remember the Christ hymn from Philippians 2.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross. (Php 2:5-8)

I sometimes cannot believe the sense of entitlement we bring to the church. We've been catered to by our consumerist culture so much, we think we can stand int he house of the Lord and make demands about what we want. Rarely have I ever heard a complaint linked to a word from the Lord. Instead, like consumers, we are used to having our buying power give us what we want. As members of a church we give financially to the organization. A consumer expects to get satisfaction, a fair exchange for their dollars. But a disciple gives for very different reasons. Disciples give out of gratitude for what God has done, is doing, and will do. They give, not to feel good or know their dollars are doing something they can feel good about, but as a loving response to God. Giving is an act of worship, not a means of control.

Are you beginning to see how humility before our Teacher works out in practical ways?

A disciple is marked by the humility we know in Jesus. He left heaven and the radiance of God to come to our broken world. He was laid in a farm animal's food trough at his birth. He was covered in blood and the tissue of afterbirth, something we do not find very beautiful. He went to relieve himself, just as you and I frequent the restroom. Again, not a very warm thought. The point is Jesus left perfection to enter our filth and brokenness. 

A disciple learns to get into the filth and brokenness of each other's lives and seek the Perfect One for healing and transformation.

Lord, lead us to follow you in humble service. Change our hearts that we might stop living like religious consumers and truly become your disciples.