Discipleship – in your mind’s eye, you see Jesus in the hot Mid-East sun followed by a bunch of men – twelve in all – who are nothing short of devout, zealous, willing to follow the Master’s lead, and willing to do whatever the Master bids them. That is often the imagery when you hear the term discipleship. Whatever happened between Jesus and His disciples is discipleship.
What does it mean to be called to discipleship?
You are being called if someone asks you to come to him. Being called to discipleship means being asked to come and follow; in other words, it means being asked to become a disciple – a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Jesus won many disciples and had more disciples than any other man of God who preceded Him. This ministerial feat could be attributed to a number of reasons:
Jesus utilized His infinite wisdom, His omniscience, and His fathomless understanding to weave messages that were on point and were thought-provoking and that addressed the situation of the people at the time. And many were those who were won over to become his disciples because of His messages.
Also, many of those who saw, heard, and experienced His great miracles believed in Him as the long-awaited Messiah. In addition, Jesus was very sociable and got along with everyone even His arch-enemies. Some were moved by His sociable nature and became His disciples. An example is Zacchaeus who was moved to repentance and became a disciple of Jesus when Jesus proved Himself sociable and visited his house.
While many looked to miracles, teachings, sociability, etc., others were inspired to acknowledge and believe in Jesus due to the holy life He led.
And still, some of the finest disciples of Jesus were won simply by a call – a call to discipleship from Jesus. Most of the people who were intentionally called to discipleship became part of the twelve disciples of Jesus. According to the biblical account, anytime Jesus intended to call someone to discipleship, He used the command ‘Follow me.’ So the term ‘follow’ is very associated with the call to discipleship. And the term ‘follow’ which Jesus uses to call people to discipleship was translated from the Greek word akoloutheo. Akoloutheo means to be in the same way with. Hence being called to discipleship is being called to follow or walk in the Master’s way.
Examples of the call to discipleship and those who were called:
Jesus calls Matthew to discipleship
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9). Also Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27.
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to discipleship
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)
Jesus calls John and James to discipleship
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. (Matthew 4:21-22). Also Mark 1:17.
Jesus calls Philip to discipleship
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. (John 1:43)
Jesus calls the young rich man to discipleship
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:21, also Matthew 19:21
The general call to discipleship
The Scriptures say a lot about individuals who were called to become disciples of Jesus. Most of this calling was done by Jesus Himself. Jesus called James, John, etc. Frankly, Jesus was not only in for a few individuals. He was in for everybody, the whole world. He wished to save everybody. So apart from calling individuals, Jesus made an open call to everybody:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
Some of those who were called to discipleship also called others to discipleship
Andrew calls Peter to become a disciple of Jesus
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. {the Christ: or, the Anointed} 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. John 1:40-42
Philip calls Nathaniel to become a disciple of Jesus
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:45-46)
Conclusion
We should take note that though some people saw, heard, or witnessed and believed in Jesus to discipleship and some also were called to discipleship, on the whole, it was God who called them to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
Since the days of Jesus, God has been calling sinners to salvation and discipleship. Discipleship is all about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Being a disciple of Jesus is all about following the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ which is written in the Bible.