The Place and Nature of Christian Discipleship

The Call to Discipleship

In the Gospel of Matthew, discipleship involves responding to Jesus’ call and choosing to follow Him.
The call of the first disciples is recorded in Matthew 4:18-22. Jesus invites Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave their fishing nets and follow Him.
This narrative illustrates the necessity of disciples to leave everything behind to follow Jesus and emphasise immediate response to His call.
Matthew 9:9 provides another example of a direct call when Matthew the tax collector is invited to “Follow me”.

The Cost and Commitment of Discipleship

Discipleship requires great commitment and carries a cost. It may cause conflict or division, as seen in Matthew 10:34-36.
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus states that anyone who wishes to be His disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This denotes a life of self-sacrifice and service.
The parable of the Rich Young Man (Matthew 19:16-30) underlines the message that discipleship may require one to give up material possessions and comforts.
The story of Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:69-75) further illustrates the challenges and failings disciples may face.

The Role of Disciples

Disciples are to be bearers of good news, messengers of the kingdom of God, as demonstrated in the Mission of the Twelve (Matthew 10:5-15).
They are to be the salt to the earth and light to the world, promoting good and truth, as outlined in Matthew 5:13-16.
Disciples are to practice and promote righteousness, faith, justice, and mercy (Matthew 23:23).
They are also called to make other disciples, teaching and baptising in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as commanded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

Discipleship Today

For contemporary Christians, discipleship means living according to Jesus’ teachings, trying to emulate His life and actions in their own lives.
It involves the spread of the Gospel to others, whether through preaching, personal testimony, or acts of love and service.
Christian disciples today face similar challenges as those in Jesus’ time, including societal pressures, material temptations, and possible rejection.
However, it also brings potential joys and rewards, such as the deep sense of community, purpose and faith, and the promise of eternal life.

Remember, a deep understanding of discipleship based on the Gospel of Matthew offers valuable insights to the Christian faith and the followers’ response to Jesus’ call.