Discipleship Is Difficult
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
This is how German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer opened his book, The Cost of Discipleship. He wasn’t being morbid; this pastor and scholar wanted to prepare Christians for the rigors that come with following Jesus in a world that rejects Him.
We will face ridicule and accusations.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” – Matthew 5:11
Discipleship requires us to carry our cross and deny our interests.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27
To gain Christ, we must release everything we have.
“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” – Luke 14:33
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” – Philippians 3:8
Yes, discipleship is demanding.
Discipleship Is Worthwhile
But it’s worth the price! In heaven, our adversities will end. No matter how tough our trials are this moment, they will fade in the light of heavenly splendor.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
The work of carrying our cross and denying ourselves will finish.
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” – Revelation 14:13
And the Father will reward our tenacity.
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
The contrast between present struggles and future blessings suggests that discipleship is temporary. We dedicate ourselves to Christ in this life and God honors us in the next.
Discipleship Is Education
But discipleship is more than endurance; it’s education. Disciples are students, those who attach themselves to a master to develop a skill, a trade, or a way of life. In the context of the kingdom, discipleship involves learning the truth of Jesus Christ through His Word and the Spirit.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.’” – John 8:31
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13
We’re called not only to be disciples but also to make disciples.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
But what’s the aim of discipleship? Why sit under Christ’s teaching and share it with others?
Discipleship Is Christoformity
God’s goal is for us is Christlikeness or, as seminary professor Scot McKnight puts it, Christoformity.
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” – Luke 6:40
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” – Romans 8:29
The moment we submit to Jesus as Lord, God works in our hearts to make us like Christ. This sounds great, but if we stop and think about it, this project might unnerve us. Because the better we get to know Jesus, the greater the differences we observe between Him and us. We may wonder if God’s plan to bring us to maturity in Christ is even possible. It feels like it would take more than a lifetime; it would take forever. And even that may not be long enough!
Discipleship Is Eternal
But the Lord hasn’t miscalculated. He’s looking forward to us learning from Him–forever!
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6-7
Gathered in His presence, we will plumb the depths and explore the extent of God’s gracious purposes which He accomplished in Jesus Christ.
Back in the fourth century, the church patriarch Gregory of Nyssa described our life in the age to come as everlasting growth. His understanding was “a theology of perpetual youth in continual growth. Life in heaven . . . is paradoxical: Desire is insatiable, and yet always satisfied.” And for Gregory, this means that we will never get bored and lose interest in eternal life: “Constant growth will hinder any ‘boredom’ so characteristic to human beings, who tire of everything, in eternal life.”
Application
Back when we were students, most of us couldn’t wait for school to end. We looked forward to the final bell of the day or the last class on Friday. And we’d count the days to Christmas or summer vacation! Anything that would get us out the door because for many of us, school was dry and dull. Life was outside of the building and that’s where we wanted to be.
When we graduated, we got our wish; we were done with school and could pursue what we wanted or needed.
Discipleship combines these; it’s education and it’s also real life. And that’s why it’s eternal. For us, there will always be more to learn about God’s kingdom.
But not to worry! This is good news; throughout the ages, we will discover and enjoy the riches of God’s wisdom. And everything we learn will deepen our appreciation for who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Is discipleship eternal? Yes, praise God, it is!
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