By: Kurt Barnes

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus? The answer might surprise you. It’s not about adopting a label or merely believing in a set of doctrines. Instead, it’s about embarking on a transformative journey of discipleship – a path that the earliest followers of Jesus embraced long before they were ever called “Christians.”

In fact, the term “Christian” was likely first used as a derogatory slur by outsiders, meaning “little Christs” or “imitation Christs.” It wasn’t until years after the founding of the first church in Jerusalem, following the persecution that scattered believers, that this term emerged in Antioch (Acts 11:26). But the early believers had already been identifying themselves with powerful, action-oriented words: disciples, believers, and followers of the Way.

The word “disciple” appears a staggering 281 times in the New Testament, compared to only 3 mentions of “Christian.” This emphasis on discipleship reflects Jesus’ primary invitation: “Come, follow me.” It’s a call to apprenticeship, to learning a whole new way of life under Jesus’ guidance.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus extending this invitation. In Mark 1:16-20, He calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John from their fishing boats. In Mark 2:13-14, He invites Levi, a tax collector. Each time, the response is immediate and total – they leave everything to follow Him.

But what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? To understand this, we need to look at the first-century Jewish education system:

1. Bet Sefer (House of the Book): From ages 5-12, children memorized the Torah.
2. Bet Talmud (House of Learning): The best students, ages 12-15, memorized the rest of the Old Testament.
3. Talmidim (Apprentice to a Rabbi): Only the most exceptional students were chosen for this highest level.

To become a Talmidim was the pinnacle of achievement. If chosen, you would devote your life to three primary goals:

1. Be with your rabbi: You would follow your teacher everywhere, learning from every moment spent in their presence.
2. Become like your rabbi: Your aim was to embody your teacher’s teachings and character.
3. Do what your rabbi did: Eventually, you would be sent out to continue your rabbi’s work.

Now, let’s bring this ancient practice into our modern context. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to pursue these same goals:

1. Be with Jesus: Our primary goal is to live in constant connection with the Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches this principle in John 15:1-8, using the metaphor of a vine and its branches. We’re invited to “remain” or “abide” in Him, cultivating a continuous awareness of His presence in every aspect of our lives.
2. Become like Jesus: Through this close connection, we undergo spiritual formation. It’s not about mere behavior modification, but deep, inward transformation. We aim to embody the teachings of Jesus, such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), becoming people who naturally love our enemies and trust God implicitly.
3. Do what Jesus did: As we grow in Christlikeness, we’re empowered to participate in Jesus’ ongoing work in the world. We’re called not just to know about Jesus, but to continue His mission of ushering in God’s Kingdom.

This path of discipleship is challenging, but it’s also deeply fulfilling. Jesus promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He invites us to learn from Him, to take on His way of living and seeing the world.

The invitation to follow Jesus is extended to each of us, regardless of our background or perceived inadequacies. Remember, many of Jesus’ first disciples were ordinary people who had already been passed over by the religious system of their day. When Jesus called them, they seized the opportunity with enthusiasm.

As we embrace this journey of discipleship, we’re not left to figure it out on our own. Jesus has given us practices to help us abide in Him: silence, solitude, prayer, fasting, simplicity, and engaging with Scripture. These time-tested disciplines help us cultivate an ongoing awareness of God’s presence and openness to His transforming work in our lives.

Moreover, we’re meant to walk this path in community. The early disciples learned together, supported one another, and were sent out in pairs. Today, we can create or join small groups to discuss our experiences, encourage one another, and spur each other on in our growth.

Ultimately, the goal of discipleship is not just personal transformation, but also to impact the world around us. As we become more like Jesus, we’re better equipped to address the heartbreaking needs of our world with His love, wisdom, and power.

So, the question before us is this: Will we accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him? Will we commit to being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did? This is the adventure of true discipleship – a journey that promises to change us from the inside out and, through us, to change the world.

As we reflect on this calling, let’s remember the words of 1 Peter 2:21: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” May we embrace this high calling with joy, knowing that as we follow Jesus, we’re becoming the people we were always meant to be.