I never realized what a learning experience I was getting while tromping around in the woods with my father. As a land surveyor, my father’s work often took him out into fields and forests at all times of year. I was often tasked with coming along, carrying a plumb bob, elevation pole or corner pins. I was learning the value of hard work, some basics of surveying and what it was like to be a good father/teacher. But one lesson never really occurred to me until I was studying the Bible—what it meant to be a disciple.
Especially in wintertime, following my father through the heavy snows of northwestern PA meant trying as best I could to put my feet exactly where my father’s had been. As he would tread through the snow banks, I would come after him, careful to go exactly where he had already paved the way. Of course, this was particularly challenging when my stride was much shorter than his, but with effort, it was possible.
Little did I know I was learning how to be a disciple.
The New Testament’s idea of a disciple is captured in three Greek terms—akolouthos, mathatas and Apostolos—each with their own nuance and implications for the disciple. Akolouthos is “one who follows,” an imitator, a copycat; not from afar, but as one who follows closely in the footsteps of another, with intimacy and intentionality. The guiding image is of proximity and devotion. On the dirt roads of Jerusalem, Jewish disciples were said to be covered in dust of their Rabbis, so closely did they follow. In the snowy woods, I was literally “in the footsteps” of my father, as I now seek figuratively to be in the footsteps of my heavenly Father.
Mathatas, “a learner or scholar,” focuses more on the goals of a disciple than on the means of attaining that goal. To truly be a disciple-learner in the biblical sense, however, is not about the quality of one’s intellect or understanding, but about the acceptance and embrace of another’s teaching. Quality discipleship was measured, not just by knowing their teaching, but actively engaged in following it.
Finally, apostolos, is probably recognizable—an Apostle, “one who is sent.” In ancient times, this frequently referred to a messenger or herald. However, the apostle did not simply carry a message; rather, the apostle was sent to convey the authority and standing of another. In this sense, a disciple-apostle is not simply one sent by Jesus, but one who is intended to convey His very presence. To be sent “in the name of Jesus” is not simply a nice catch-phrase, but is rather built into the very concept of biblical discipleship.
The call to be a Christian is a call to be a disciple; you can’t have one without the other. To be a disciple is to walk closely with our Lord, to conform our thinking, our passions and our desires to His and to be sent by Him into the world to convey His love, grace and redemption. To be a disciple is an amazing challenge, an awesome gift, one that He calls us to every day.
In preparation for worship this week, read Luke 5:1-11.
- Assuming there were no iPods at the time, what were Peter and company listening to while cleaning their nets? How might that provide insight into the following events?
- What would prompt Peter and friends to follow Jesus’ “suggestion” to drop the nets into the sea for one last catch? Why would they listen to this guy?
- What prompts the shift in Peter’s thinking symbolized by his calling Jesus, “Master,” early on, but “Lord,” later?
- In verse 8, Peter falls at Jesus’ feet and implores Jesus to depart from him. Why? What is Peter worried about?
- Following the call to discipleship (verse 10), Peter and his friends “left everything” and followed Jesus. “Leaving everything” means what in this context? What about in your context?
By Henry Knapp