Is discipleship our optional essential?
I know. That may sound a bit contradictory and provocative. But perhaps it is something to think about.
Not too long ago I asked on Facebook, “So I am wondering . . . what does discipleship look like?” I enjoyed digging into that question with you. I hope that discussion continues!
This is the first of a series of posts that may help the discussion continue. If some of the discussion is a little provocative, let’s allow it to draw us into a deeper understanding of what Jesus has in mind when he talks about discipleship to us through the Scriptures.
In this particular question, there are two key words to explore: optional and essential. Yeah, like a rhetorical question involving two diametrically opposed words.
Optional. No, discipleship is not optional.
Essential. Yes, discipleship is essential.
It wouldn’t be right to say, “Yes, discipleship is an option; no, it is not essential.”
Consider Matthew 28:18-20, the go-to for so many missions talks. Recently, I’ve noticed it being referenced as the go-to for discipleship talks.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The heart of the mission is “as you are going, make disciples.”
The power and promise for fulfilling the mission of making disciples are at the beginning and end of Jesus’ last instructions to his followers: “All authority . . . has been given to me. . . I am always with you.” Jesus spoke to his disciples about making disciples, and about giving them what they needed and telling them how to do it. They needed his authority, power, and presence. They were to make disciples by baptizing in the full authority of the Trinity, and teaching new disciples “to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Perhaps we could paraphrase this pivotal passage like this: “Jesus came to his disciples where he had told them to meet him, and said, ‘l have been given all authority in heaven and on earth, not just some authority, but ALL authority in the spiritual realms and the physical realms. On the basis of that authority, because of who I am, this is what I am telling you to do: As you are going everywhere, to all corners of the earth, among all ethnic groups, make disciples just as I have made you disciples. Baptize them in the name of who we are: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I’ve taught you and commanded you to do and be. Don’t forget, fret, or fear, because I am with you always, giving you everything you need to continue the discipling I have begun in you.’”
Imperative, essential, not optional.
So then, why do we Jesus-followers so often treat discipleship as an optional non-essential? How do we show that we actually believe it is an optional non-essential. Is there something to this? Let’s continue the discussion . . .