The job ’n’ joy of being Jesus’ disciples

The JOB… 

Jesus’ last words to his original disciples in John 14 to 17 are like bells banging away in our heads as his chosen disciples now. And so clear are their sound: bong – “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” And bong – “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” And bong – “the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” 

So, “class time” for disciples is learning what Jesus taught. The Greek word for disciple ties in with that too; it’s mathētēs (mah-thay-tace), meaning “learner.” It was also the word used for “apprentice.” So, being a disciple in its original, first century sense, was about learning from a skilled or renowned teacher – pictured rather nicely for us by the attitude of Mary in Luke 10:39, who “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” 

And when her sister Martha muttered that Mary wasn’t helping with food preparation, Jesus’ answer in verses 41-42 is enlightening too: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

So what was this “one thing” that would “not be taken away” from Mary? Jesus explained in John 6:27, when he said: “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”  

What Jesus taught, then, went much deeper than “life lessons,” or platitudes, or “self-help” advancement in wisdom. What he taught was assigned by God the Father, and not for just this life either; these were teachings that would stay with a person forever. They’re the bread and butter of eternity. Learn what Jesus taught and we’re already experiencing eternity. 

And Jesus really nailed this down for his disciples, that, first of all, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me,” John 7:16. And secondly, “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me (to teach you) has eternal life. He has crossed over from death to life,” John 5:24.

“Class time” with Jesus, then, is setting us up for eternal life in this life now.

(“The JOY” was on Jan 28)