Christ’s Clarifying Call to Discipleship

There will be moments when we feel lost, uncertain, and confused. Even our beloved Apostle Paul spoke of being “troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down” (2 Cor. 4:8). It is false and unhelpful to think that being a Christian means that we have it all together and never waiver.

                In those times, we have a shining beacon, a lighthouse pointing to the safe harbor. I think of our Lord’s call to discipleship. First, he said, “If any man will come after me.” This is his call at all times – come after me. “Take my yoke upon you.” “Learn of me.” “Abide in me.” In pain and sorrow, uncertainty and confusion, follow Jesus. Come to the Light. Go to his word and hear his living voice. The thunder roars, but He shines through the gloom with the light of his Word.

                “Let him deny himself.” Most hard times have a “God or self,” “self or others,” “Christ or self” component. Our Lord tells us the way to choose. Put our desires aside, especially sinful ones, and choose the way of walking with God in Christ. Many voices are raised – do this! Be like this! Think this way! There is for the Christian but one shining sun: Jesus Christ. “Lord, not my will, but yours be done.” This is extremely clarifying for young and old disciples. It is often the way out of the darkness created by our self-willed, self-trusting ways. Deny yourself. Follow Him! Love Him! Obey Him!

                “Take up your cross.” We will learn by experience that our crosses come in many shapes, sizes, and seasons. One thing unifies them – following Christ comes with trouble. We are in a war. The world hates the narrow path, and persecutes those who walk upon it. The flesh insinuates that there is something wrong with the path of the cross. Surely following Jesus should be easier. What gracious clarity our Savior gives: take up your cross. Do not be surprised by your cross. Do not try to avoid it. Do not think something is wrong or that God does not love you if your cross is particularly heavy. Pick it up. Follow Jesus. Walk in his victory path of joyful surrender to the Father’s will.

                “Follow me.” And this is really the joy of Christian discipleship. Not: follow the gurus and electronic wizards. Almost all are trying to promote themselves -- gaining followers for themselves (Acts 20:30). Christians have one Master, one Lord, one Shepherd. Our faith is all about Him, about following Him. This is clarifying. He may lead you to a hospital bed – to humble you and to humble others, so that by visiting you, they will visit Him! He may lead you to less financial success – so that you follow him, not the dollar, and never forget your need to trust God for daily bread. He may leave you perplexed, even discouraged for a while – to urge you to follow him more closely, to hope in Him, to look forward to heaven and your life with him, not feeling better about this life.

                 So, let us come after Christ and follow Him. Wherever you are in the path – just starting out or nearing the end – his discipleship call is clarifying. It is also exhilarating. We are following the eternal Word and eternal Son of God. We are following the One who loved and gave himself for us. We are following the One who came in the likeness of sinful flesh so that he could be the Man of Sorrows, tempted in all ways we are, excepting sin, and now be our merciful and sympathetic High Priest. Nothing is more settling than to know we are following Jesus Christ. Keep looking unto Jesus, weary disciple. Abide in his Word. Trust Him. Love Him. He will never leave you. He is going before you, bringing you home to heaven, to Him.