Lessons From Would-be Disciples . . . OR . . . How to Flunk While Getting "A's"
Sabbath School Class—A Life of Discovery
January 26, 2008
Larry R Evans
Quiz for Reflection
1. Commitment was so important to Jesus that He taught His disciples that they must put His mission over that of attending a funeral for a loved one. [Mt 8:21,22] True or False?
2. If we keep the commandments as Jesus instructed the rich young ruler, we will meet the criteria Jesus was stressing with this would-be disciple. [Mk 10:17-23] True or False?
3. True seekers of truth will, unlike Nicodemus, come to Jesus whether it be day or “night.” [Jn 3:2, 19-21] True or False?
4. Truth is truth. Disciples of Christ need to remember that how it is packaged is less important than making sure it is “truth” we share. [See Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.72; The Desire of Ages, p.353] True or False?
Introductory Reflections
Is it possible to get “A’s” and still flunk the class? Today’s study suggests that it is. We are introduced to some “would be disciples” who seemed to have it all together but did not make the final cut. Each is missing a vital element that make-up true discipleship. With Jesus spending only three years in what we call public ministry, it was vital that he establish a strong base for the work of the Holy Spirit. His first step was choosing then developing a core group of disciples. Our study guide (quarterly) did not use the word “commitment” but in my own reflection it would seem that it is a word which summarizes much of what Christ was looking for in the disciples He called. Several years ago I read a book entitled, Whatever Happened to Commitment, by Edward Dayton. In this book Dayton pointed out an alarming trend that was taking place in America which includes the Christian church. He lays the base by describing commitment: “Commitment is an agreement to work together for the good of a larger group so that each one can have a place and a sense of security.” . . . Commitment is costly; it always requires giving—our time, our resources, our thought life, even our very soul. And because of its cost we admire it in others and fear it for ourselves.” (pp.16,17) Whether it be Nicodemus or the rich young ruler the kind of discipleship Jesus was calling for was full commitment. Where we have gone wrong with our understanding of commitment, Dayton points out, is that we have divorced the commitment to God from His body, the Church! Jesus emphasized this when He said, “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35. And while it is popular today to talk about “loving one another” it is not popular to talk about commitment to a larger organized body called the Church. Often we choose to be independent from anything that resembles structure and accountability to another part of the “body.” As an introduction to our questions for today I leave you with this thought from Dayton, “We concluded that our problem is not how to communicate, but what we have to offer. The world is longing to believe there are groups of men and women whose commitment to one another transcends materialism, competiveness, and individualism. The cost of American values is more than we can bear. We have been robbed of a sacred gift: the ability to be committed to other human beings.
We no longer speak of God’s wrath and we seldom mention His awesomeness. We experience grace without law; we expect God’s love without His justice. The mystery is gone. The sacred is gone.
God help us!” (p.88)
Whether we accept all that Dayton says or not it is important for us to raise the question “Whatever Happened to Commitment?” So we begin our study with the subtitle to our study: How to Flunk While Getting “A’s”.
Reflective Questions for Study
1. Commitment was so important to Jesus that He taught His disciples that they must put His mission over that of attending a funeral for a loved one. [Mt 8:21,22] False
Matt 8:18-24
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
21 Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
(NIV)
Can you imagine the thoughts that must have been going on in the minds of the disciples as they got into the boat with Jesus? What was it about this “would-be disciple” that was unacceptable to Jesus? Was it because he wanted to bury his father first? Or was it not so much the man being unacceptable to Jesus as Jesus being unacceptable to the man?
Before we answer that question please note an important insight that undergirds the ministry of Jesus: Speaking of those whom Christ called, Ellen White wrote, “They were men of native ability, and they were humble and teachable,--men whom He could educate for His work. In the common walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil, unconscious that he possesses power which, if called into action, would raise him to an equality with the world’s most honored men. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse those dormant faculties.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 250)
What we see at play with the response of Jesus to the man who wanted to first bury his father was the skillful hand of Christ attempting to arouse within him the possibilities that He saw.
“The man asked to bury his father, and in the Jewish faith it was a sacred duty to ensure a decent burial for a parent. . . . Contrary to popular belief, the young man’s father was neither dead nor even at the point of death. It was even possible that he was at the time ‘enjoying good health, and the time of his death was indefinitely in the future. The SDA Bible Commentary, vol.5, p.366 . . . Because the dead were usually buried the same day, had his father actually died, there would not have been a problem, because he could have attended to matters and then returned to discipleship.
The man revealed his character. In contrast to the scribe’s hastiness and impulsiveness, he was slow, lethargic, lacking in zeal for the work, indecisive, and prone to procrastination. He was in fact delaying his discipleship to the indefinite future because he did not want to make an immediate commitment.” (Monday’s Bible study guide.)
2. If we keep the commandments as Jesus instructed the rich young ruler, we will meet the criteria Jesus was stressing with this would-be disciple. [Mk 10:17-23] False
Mark 10:17-23
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (NIV)
Certainly we have here the case of someone “getting A’s” yet flunking the test! But why? He said he had kept all the commandments since he was a boy? Was that wrong?
. . . Was that true? Was that what Jesus was asking? (note vs.18) To what was Jesus really directing the rich young ruler in verse 18?
With the compassionate approach of Jesus the opportunity was given for this would-be disciple to see that the treasure he valued most was his treasure on earth, not the one in heaven. To be a disciple he needed a new heart.
3. True seekers of truth will, unlike Nicodemus, come to Jesus whether it be day or “night.” [Jn 3:2, 19-21] False (Could also be true except the assumption of the question is false.)
John 3:1-3
3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."(NIV)
I have a question for you: If Jesus attracted so much attention with His miracles why didn’t he do more? He obviously attracted the attention of such men as Nicodemus?
Jesus masterfully turns the attention from focusing on a miracle-working God to a life-changing God! Being curious about spiritual things is not sufficient. The approach of Jesus allowed a different truth to begin its penetration into the heart of Nicodemus. The man who came at night so as not to be exposed was exposed in ways he never dreamed possible. Do you think verse 19 spoke to Nicodemus?
John 3:19
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (NIV)
How individuals come to Christ will vary. The Spirit knows each heart and the resistance found within. Some may come searching under the cover of darkness while others may stand boldly on the platform of the Church. The question is not so much when we come but how we come – do we come with open hearts or hearts so filled with so much of our own ways and values that we do not hear the Spirit speak?
Of Nicodemus it was written,
After the Lord's ascension, when the disciples were scattered by persecution, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He employed his wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to be blotted out at the death of Christ. In the time of peril he who had been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock, encouraging the faith of the disciples, and furnishing means to carry forward the work of the gospel. He was scorned and persecuted by those who had paid him reverence in other days. He became poor in this world's goods; yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in that night conference with Jesus.
Nicodemus related to John the story of that interview, and by his pen it was recorded for the instruction of millions. (The Desire of Ages, p.177)
4. Truth is truth. Disciples of Christ need to remember that how it is packaged is less important than making sure it is “truth” we share. [See Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.72; The Desire of Ages, p.353] True and False
Sometimes it is easy to blame the poor reception of truth to a spiritual opportunity on the difficulty of the “truth” itself. At other times we blame the messenger for not presenting the truth in a more tactful and clear way. The answer isn’t “True” or “False” but rather “It Varies.” Note the following:
We should remember that the world will judge us by what we appear to be. Let those who are seeking to represent Christ be careful not to exhibit inconsistent features of character. Before we come fully to the front, let us see to it that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from on high. When this is the case, we shall give a decided message, but it will be of a far less condemnatory character than that which some have been giving; and all who believe will be far more earnest for the salvation of our opponents. Let God have the matter of condemning authorities and governments wholly in His own keeping. In meekness and love, let us as faithful sentinels defend the principles of truth as it is in Jesus. . . .
Present Truth with Gentleness.--The truth should be presented with divine tact, gentleness, and tenderness. It should come from a heart that has been softened and made sympathetic. We need to have close communion with God, lest self rise up, as it did in Jehu, and we pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew, or as the still showers that revive the withering plants. Let our words be gentle as we seek to win souls. God will be wisdom to him who seeks for wisdom from a divine source. . . . (Counsel to Writers and Editors, p. 72)
Attitude Toward Opponents.--God's plan is first to get at the heart. Speak the truth, and let Him carry forward the reformatory power and principle. Make no reference to what opponents say; but let the truth alone be advanced. The truth can cut to the quick. Plainly unfold the word in all its impressiveness.--Testimonies, Vol. 6, pp. 394-400. (1900.)
"Behold," said Jesus, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Christ Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, that refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He always bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.
The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart. They need to have close communion with God, lest, under provocation, self rise up, and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or the still showers that refresh the withering plants. This is what Satan wants them to do; for these are his methods. It is the dragon that is wroth; it is the spirit of Satan that is revealed in anger and accusing. But God's servants are to be representatives of Him. He desires them to deal only in the currency of heaven, the truth that bears His own image and superscription. The power by which they are to overcome evil is the power of Christ. The glory of Christ is their strength. They are to fix their eyes upon His loveliness. Then they can present the gospel with divine tact and gentleness. And the spirit that is kept gentle under provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument, however forcible. (The Desire of Ages, p. 353)
Could it be that the kind of approach we use to reach others with “the truth” will determine the kind of disciples we make? Is it possible that some “would-be” disciples choose against the truth because of the approach taken? Can you think of instances where the approach used to present truth was more of a barrier than the truth itself?
Is it possible to do everything right (get “A’s) but still flunk? What could be wrong with our own witnessing endeavors while doing everything right?
One last question for those who have responded to the call to Follow Jesus:
“Once committed to being a disciple--always committed? True or False?
Reflections in Review
Commitment and loyalty are weighty words when it comes to discipleship. They reach back into our inner being where we consciously or unconsciously hold our core values. The degree to which we are committed or loyal to a person or cause is often revealed when contradicted by other expectations from such influences as family, friends, cultural norms, public image and at times even our own safety. The call of Christ is always a call to restoration to the divine purpose for which we were created and for which we will find the ultimate fulfillment. Yet when we speak of following Christ, we often refer to “the cost of discipleship.” Cost is relative. Is there a cost for not following Christ? Changing our core values is difficult and much more difficult to change than modifying a behavioral pattern for the short term. We cannot do it by ourselves. Christ’s call to discipleship is accompanied not only with the challenge to change who we are and the vision of what we should be like, but it provides the strength by which we can become. “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Eph. 5:1) Such a challenge can create great personal turbulence but it also brings inner peace and fulfillment as we relate differently to God, others and, yes, even to ourselves.
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