EmmDev 2024-06-12 [The Discipleship Journey] Discipleship, even in the OT

Discipleship, even in the OT

I love the consistency and congruency of the Scriptures.
In the New Testament, James uses the image of our faith being like refined Gold.
In the Old Testament Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zechariah and Malachi all describe God journeying with us refining our faith like silver or gold.

Here's a beautiful passage from Job, who in the process of protesting his innocence, talks about his journey of being refined (discipled) by God.

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. (Job23:10-12)

There are such beautiful images in these three couplets:

• God is interested in the way I take. The decisions I make, the paths I choose. These matter to Him because He cares about me. God tests (refines) us. The Hebrew word for "test" is the same as in Psalm 139 "Search me O God and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." God doesn't test us to fail us, He tests us to remove the junk. The image James uses is melted gold where the heavy gold sinks to the bottom and all the impurities float to the top so that they can be scooped off by the Refiner.
• Job has tried to follow in God's steps. He didn't have the example of Jesus, but he had God's Law and God's Word. In this middle couplet Job is talking about his feet - where his actions are leading.
• In the last couplet he is talking about his attitude towards God's commands: I have not departed from them, I have treasured them more than daily bread. Does that sound familiar? Remember what Jesus said about "Not living on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

And so there we have it.
Another beautiful picture of discipleship.
- It's a road to walk
- God refines us because He wants the best for us
- We follow in His steps
- And we prioritise His Word and Commands in our hearts and actions

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EmmDev 2024-06-11 [The Discipleship Journey] The Rich Young Man

The Rich Young Man

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?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.' " "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 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." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark10:17-22)

Let me say up front that I think this Rich Young Man may well be Joseph of Arimathea who gave up his family tomb (and his reputation) for the burial of a controversial itinerant preacher named Jesus who the religious leaders of the day considered a threat.

But let's take a step back...
A young man runs up to Jesus...
He could be a fabulous recruit!
He's young, he's rich, he's devoted, he's an example to others.

One would think that Jesus would affirm him and recruit him in a heartbeat.

But He doesn't...

Why? Because this man is trapped.
He's trapped by his possessions.
He doesn't own his possessions, his possessions own him.

Jesus looked at him and loved Him.

And yet He lets him walk away.
If I were Jesus, I would have negotiated: "Ok... If all is too much, let's start with half your possessions."

But Jesus loves him too much to leave him trapped.
He needs to set him free.

It's amazing how He treats everyone uniquely.
Nicodemus had to reboot his belief system - "Be born again"
Simon Peter had to leave his nets.
Zacchaeus needed to make restitution.
Matthew needed a mission.
The rich young ruler needed to be free of his stuff.
There's no one-size-fits-all...

If this young man is in fact Joseph, then we see the wisdom of Jesus at work.

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EmmDev 2024-06-07 [The Discipleship Journey] Nicodemus

Nicodemus

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." " How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John3:3-8)

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night... Was he just curious or was he hungry and thirsty for righteousness - desperate for something that the Pharisees and the Jewish Council couldn't give him?

Jesus cuts straight to the point:
Entering God's Kingdom isn't an inherited right or something that happens by loose association. It's not something that comes to us by default if we live good lives. Entering God's Kingdom happens by new birth.

Jesus goes on to explain it with three images:

• It's a SECOND Birth - a new beginning. It is followed by growth and leads toward maturity where we "have children" by leading others to God.
• It's a SPIRITUAL Birth. Blaise Pascal talked about the "God-shaped hole" inside all of us. Being born-again is to invite God's Spirit to fill that hole.
• It's a MYSTERIOUS Birth. You can't see the wind, hold the wind or tell the wind where to blow. Being born again means that we are no longer our own - we belong to Him. We go where the wind blows.

Jesus was announcing the coming of a Kingdom.
Entry into His coming KINGDOM (where His will is done) is initiated by an event or a process (that in my case took a few months) where I had to recognise that:
- This life is not enough and I can't find fulfilment in myself.
- There is a God-shaped hole in me and I need Him
- Being born-again means I throw myself into an amazing voyage where I'm not in charge but His Wind takes me into the life He has prepared for me.

Nicodemus came at night: frightened of what others thought. We meet him again in John 7 - half-heartedly trying to stand up for Jesus. He appears a last time in John 19 carrying an armload of spices to bury Jesus. My picture is of Nicodemus in the "spiritual womb": he's hungry and thirsty and instinctively knows that Jesus holds the answers, but he just won't let go, he doesn't let the birth happen and that's just a great pity.

Do you know someone like that?

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EmmDev 2024-06-06 [The Discipleship Journey] Civil Servants #2

Civil Servants #2

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' " But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke19:1-10)

Zacchaeus was a tax-collector too. In addition to having a job that made him unpopular. He was a short man which made him an easy target for the bullies - it seems that Zacchaeus got his own back by abusing his powers as a tax-collector and, by his own admission, cheating people.

There's similarities and differences between Zacchaus and Matthew...
When Jesus called Matthew, he was minding his own business in his tax collector's booth but it is Matthew who takes the initiative and organises a banquet. With Zacchaeus it is different: Zacchaeus is the one seeking Jesus, but it is Jesus who invites Himself to Zacchaeus' home for a meal.

This is a powerful thing - in Graeco-Roman times people clamoured to host well-known teachers for a meal. When Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus' home, it gives Zacchaeus worth and dignity.

Again, the presence, love and grace of Jesus powerfully transforms Zacchaeus. His immediate response is heartfelt remorse, repentance and restitution. He undertakes to make right his wrongs.

This is no flash in a pan - Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house.

So what do we learn from our two civil servants?

• Jesus finds us, sometimes when we're seeking Him and even when we're not.
• His presence transforms us.
• The meal is symbolic of fellowship with Jesus, but it also points to a faith made public.
• In the case of Matthew, discipleship is demonstrated in outreach, evangelism and the desire to share the great gift he has received.
• In Zacchaeus' case, there is something else that must happen first: Sin has to be faced and made right.

But the powerful reality of these civil servant stories is that when Jesus steps into our lives, things will change.

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EmmDev 2024-06-05 [The Discipleship Journey] Civil Servants #1

Civil Servants #1

Matthew (aka Levi) and Zacchaeus were tax-collectors. Civil Servants. But in Jesus' time, Jewish tax collectors were considered "sell-outs" and "traitors" by the Jews. They were given broad powers and it was easy for them to abuse the system and claim more tax from people than was actually due.

Today we look at Matthew's story...

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" (Luke5:27-30)

It seems that Matthew was an honest tax-collector.
We know Zacchaeus wasn't because when he met Jesus, he was moved to promise to pay people back for money he had unjustly taken from them.
We have no record of Matthew having to do this.

What we do have is that Matthew, Mark and Luke record the story of Matthew's calling, his immediate response and the party he hosts to introduce his friends to Jesus.

So here are some observations about Matthew:

1. He was so taken with Jesus that he responded instantly, left everything and followed Jesus.
   Sometimes, meeting Jesus will mean a radical change. It might be lifestyle, job or the company we keep. But when Jesus calls us, we need to be ready to respond.
2. It is clear that meeting Jesus was a big deal for Matthew, because he holds a party big enough for the Pharisees to notice. We can only imagine a that Matthew experienced the love and grace of Jesus in a significant way. One wonders what it was...
   Was it His unconditional acceptance?
   Was it the warmth of His love?
   Was it the forgiveness He offered?
   Was it the peace He exuded?
   It's certainly one of the things I'll be asking Matthew about when I get there.
3. Matthew's party wasn't only a celebration. It was an outreach. Matthew wanted his friends to meet Jesus. This is a mark of a true disciple: they want others to have what they have found.

One of the devastating statistics about Christians is that, in general, the longer we have known Jesus, the less likely we are to share our faith with others. Ironically, new converts are the best evangelists.

This sad statistic does not have to be true of us. I have a good friend who has just reached retirement age and she is still ready, given half a chance, to winsomely and attractively share her faith with a fellow passenger, a waiter or anyone God brings across her path.

I regularly pray that I will be more like her and Matthew.

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EmmDev 2024-06-04 [The Discipleship Journey] In His Steps

In His Steps

The story goes that when they translated the NT into one of the San (Bushmen) dialects, they couldn't find a word for "disciple". Eventually they settled for the word "tracker".
I'm tracking Jesus.
I'm on the trail of Jesus.
I'm following His steps and going where He went.

It's a lovely picture.

Peter is talking about being "Aliens and Strangers" in a world that is hostile to the gospel. He's been addressing slaves, masters, wives and husbands. In the middle of all of that comes this general admonition to closely follow the example of Jesus.

As you read it, please note the following things:

1. We're to follow closely - In His steps
2. We're called to a high standard
3. It isn't always easy. We may have to go through persecution and insults. After all, so did Jesus.
4. He did something we won't have to do: He carried our sins. It's done.
5. We have good reason to follow Him. We were lost, but He found us.

Enjoy this beautiful passage!

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. (1Peter2:21-25)

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EmmDev 2024-05-28 [The Discipleship Journey] Relationship, Process, Journey WITH Jesus

Relationship, Process, Journey WITH Jesus

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. (Mark3:13-15)

He called them to be WITH Him...

This is the bottom-line of discipleship.
We are to be WITH Jesus.

Jesus spent 3 years with 12 men.
The "did life" together.
Walking long distances, sharing meals, working, serving, hearing, seeing, experiencing the "rhythms of grace" present in Jesus.

They would have seen how He treated people, kids and animals.
They'd have seen how He was unaffected (and unimpressed) by fame, money and status.
They'd watch Him eat, share, teach and heal.
They'd know that He practised what He preached.
They'd experienced His love and kindness.
They'd seen His righteous indignation and zeal for God.
They knew by experience that He was the real deal.

Discipleship is caught - not taught.
If I tell you I have mumps but actually I have measles, what will you catch?
Measles!

When Peter and John heal the lame man at the gate called beautiful, the Pharisees and Rulers arrest them and threaten them with a very heavy hand. This does not phase the disciples. Here's the observation Luke makes: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts4:13)

WWJD.
What Would Jesus Do?
This question is key to the transformation of our lives.
But it means we need to have been with Him.

Being with Jesus is a relationship, a process and journey.

People will see it, if we've been doing it.
Have you been with Jesus today?
First prize is that we started the day with Him, reading from His Word, talking to Him in prayer and drinking in His presence.
If your day didn't start that way, it's not too late.
Quieten your soul now, ask Him to be with you, to guide your steps and to walk today with you.
Then, when you hear His whisper, answer.

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EmmDev 2024-05-24 [The Discipleship Journey] Called

Called

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark1:14-18)

In Graeco-Roman times students chose their masters, learners chose their teachers, and philosophers like Plato and Aristotle had followers chose to be with them. Jesus does things differently. He calls us.

Did Jesus know Simon, Andrew, James and John beforehand? There is speculation... There are some who suggest that Salome, mother of James and John, may have been the sister of Jesus' mother Mary which would have made the brothers (aka "Sons of Thunder") cousins of Jesus. Even if they were not cousins, Jesus had been around Galilee for a while and may have come to know them. It is also possible that Jesus was simply guided by the Spirit. The gospels record that He spent the night in prayer before appointing the twelve and so we know that His actions are deliberate and focussed...

What is important for this conversation is that Jesus calls. We are not here by whim or accident. We are called.

What is the nature of this call?

• It's away from our nets. This doesn't mean that we all have to quit our jobs, but it does mean that I am not first and foremost an accountant, lawyer or teacher. It's about identity. I am first and foremost a follower of Christ.
• We're called to Follow Him. To go where He goes, to hear His voice, to see what He does, to experience His presence, love and grace. We don't have His physical presence like the disciples had, but we have the Scriptures and the promptings of the Spirit. We're to "walk in His footsteps" as Peter puts it in his letter to the church in Asia Minor.
• We're called to be fishers of souls. Our new passion, our new identity, is to be focussed on reaching others. We will do this reaching Spiritually with the Gospel and Practically and Emotionally with charity and working for justice and equity in our society

Although we talk about "giving our hearts to Jesus", the truth is that we can only do this when we hear His call.
May you and I respond afresh to this call:

1. What nets (entanglements) do I need to leave behind?
2. Do I have a clear picture of Jesus and His footsteps? What's the next step I need to take in following Him?
3. Can I open my heart to people afresh and anew? He died for them and wants me to reach them.

Use these questions as a measure for where you are right now...

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EmmDev 2024-05-23 [The Discipleship Journey] Reading a familiar passage properly...

Reading a familiar passage properly...

Hi everyone
After a longer break than expected, I'm picking up the EmmDevs again.
I'm going to be exploring a theme that's been starting a fire in me over the last few weeks.
That theme is "Discipleship."
- What does it mean to be a Disciple?
- How do I become a Disciple?
- How do I make Disciples?
I think we're in for quite a journey!
GodBless and Love,
Theo
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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. (Matthew28:19-20)

We have heard so many sermons on this gripping, memorable and important text. While it is called "The Great Commission", the reality is that it is often "The Great Omission"!
I remember preaching on this text at Trinity Grahamstown's evening service which was packed with students, and it was all about the first verb in the passage: "Go".

Sadly, many of us have made the same mistake, making this passage all about "Going" and thinking that we have to "Go" before we can make disciples. This leads us to think that unless we are going to Timbuktoo or some other exotic location, we are not really doing the work of the Great Commission.

What is fascinating about this passage is that there are actually four verbs: "Go", "Make Disciples", "Baptise" and "Teach" and these four verbs are not equal in weight...

Three of these verbs are Greek Passive Participles (Verbs that have become more like Nouns) and they serve the task of sketching the background. So, for example, the verb "walk" in a Passive Participle becomes "one who is walking". "Go", "Baptise" and "Teach" are all Passive Participles: "As you are going", "ones who are baptising" and "ones who are teaching"

The remaining verb is a Greek Imperative - a command, an instruction, and the central thrust of the sentence.

So, if one pays attention to the forms of these verbs, then maybe we need to translate the as follows:
"So, as you are going about life, make disciples and as you're doing that you'll be baptising and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."

That really puts a different perspective on it doesn't it? The key verb isn't "Go", "Baptise" or "Teach" but "Make Disciples" and we can execute that key verb while we are "Doing Life" (Going). While we commute with others on a bus, train or taxi. While we work alongside others. When we serve with others on a Parent's Association or a Neighbourhood Watch. Whenever and wherever we are, we can be helping others to be disciples.

And a Disciple is a follower - not in the Facebook sense, but the "Tracker"/"Student" sense. This is best "caught" and not "taught" - we have to model it more than we preach it. The turning point is Baptism which is a symbol of a public stand, indicative of the work of God in us and a sign of cleansing, renewal and new beginning. The nature of our disciple-making is Teaching people to be more like Jesus.

And the good news is that we are not alone, He is with us and will unleash His grace and power in us.

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EmmDev 2024-05-21 [Treasure Cupboard] 20,000 Days

20,000 Days

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalms90:12)

Today is a special day in my life - today I am 20,000 days old.
In August I will celebrate my 55th year in this world, but today is my 20,000th day.
The Scriptures tell us that God's mercies are new every morning. (Lam.3:22-23)
That means that I have experienced God's new mercies 20,000 times.
And that's just His general "because-I-am-a-generous-God" mercy.
That is not even the mercy I experience every time I need forgiveness or guidance or enter His throne-room in prayer and worship or intercession for others.

I'm writing this from the very beautiful Uithoek Guest Farm near Fouriesburg where we have overnighted on our way back from conducting a wedding down at Sani Pass...
Justin and Tayla's marriage is on day 3.
I've been married for 11,456 days and Caleb is 8707 days old.
It's a good opportunity to give thanks and reflect on the goodness of God.
Furthermore, if I'm blessed with good health and God's providence, I will have 30,000 days when I am 81 and 8 months.

My point? Each day is a special gift. I look back on 20,000 days and am profoundly grateful: The good days outnumber the bad days by far and the bad days still had a warm bed at the end of them and I woke up to God's blessing of the next day and the bad day was but a memory.

The temptation is to ask what the next 10,000 will look like.
But I think the more important question is: What will today look like?
How will I live today?

So three questions to ask you:

1. How many days old are you? (Thumb-suck it or ask ChatGPT...) Take a moment to thank God for the gift of all your days. (Whatsapp me your day-age...)
2. Joshua tells the people, "...choose this day who you will serve" (Jos24:15) In Zacchaeus' home Jesus says "Today Salvation has come..." (Luk19:9)
   Will you give this day to Him?
3. Do take a moment to think about the quality of each of your days ahead... How do you want to live? How can you be more in tune on a day to day basis so that your next days will be even more full of God's grace?

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