What if I told you Jesus did not start the discipleship movement?
I’m sure many people would get upset. Certainly, Jesus started the discipleship movement. He called the first disciples and discipled them.
In fact, you might say, Dr. Lofton you said so yourself. In the last two articles about discipleship you told us to look to Jesus for our model.
I, in turn, would respond that you are partially correct. I will always point to Jesus as our model. However, Jesus did not start the discipleship movement.
When we look at the Bible, we find others who discipled people.
Elijah
Well before Jesus, Elijah discipled Elisha. Interesting, Elijah’s discipleship call to Elisha sounds a lot like something Jesus once said.
So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
1 Kings 19:19-21 NRSV
Jesus was once asked about discipleship. Look at the similarities.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:57-62 NRSV
Family. Plowing. Looking back. Sounds very similar.
Elisha
Elisha, like his teacher, also had an apprentice. Elisha had a servant that he too discipled.
Unfortunately, Elisha's servant made quite a few blunders. But then again, I have made my fair share too.
John the Baptist
John the Baptist also had disciples. In fact, at one-point, John points his disciples to Jesus. John understood that the one he was preparing the way for had come. It was now time for him to step aside.
John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,but I have been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:27-30 NRSV
So What?
John the Baptist actually puts us on track to answer this question. He got it. He understood the importance of Jesus.
While Jesus wasn’t the first to disciple others, Jesus is the most important of disciplers. Here’s why?
- Jesus is the Son of God.
- Jesus was fully human and fully divine.
- Jesus was perfect – without sin.
- Jesus had a direct connection to God.
- Jesus gave his life for his disciples – and us.
- Jesus intercedes on behalf of his disciples – including me and you.
- Jesus isn’t done yet. Jesus is preparing a place for us.
- Jesus will come in his final victory – defeating Satan and all sinfulness.
- Jesus, unlike any other disciplers, will reign for all eternity.
So, while Jesus may not have been the first to disciple, he will be the last to disciple. Still, after 2,000 years, Jesus is still teaching disciples. Through His Spirit, he continues to guide us and direct us. Jesus is the ultimate of those who disciple.
Jesus may not have started the discipleship movement but he is going to finish it.
Oh wait, Jesus said it is already finished. All we have to do is follow him.
