The Cost

Discipleship

Having dealt with costly grace vs. cheap grace, Bonhoeffer then transitions to the topic of discipleship. Discipleship is the willingness of a person, upon hearing God's call, to follow God with all he has. There are other definitions to discipleship, and we will get to those in a bit. However, let's note something of interest real quick. Matthew 4:18-22 details the calling of the first disciples. Note their responses when Jesus bids them to follow: "At once they left their nets and followed him." (v. 20); "and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." (v. 22). The response of these original disciples is one of complete obedience and submission to Christ. These people didn't even know Jesus on a personal level. They heard him call, and knew in their hearts that he was the Christ. And he was calling to them. James and John even left their father in the boat to follow Jesus (v. 21-22). This is significant because the father was responsible for teaching his sons the family trade. Their leaving showed that they valued Jesus and following him more than learning to eventually support themselves and their families. In both cases, the disciples took steps of complete and total faith, and they all left their nets--their old way of life--and followed him. 

I noticed while reading the second chapter, that Bonhoeffer refers to the word "faith" a lot. So I highlighted every time he used the word. After perusing the pages, one will find that Bonhoeffer uses the word faith at least 62 times. Why is this important? This shows what Bonhoeffer highlights on: faith. It is impossible to follow God and please him without faith. Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Bonhoeffer states it this way on page 59: "Discipleship means adherence to Christ, and, because Christ is the object of that adherence, it must take the form of discipleship." 

Now, in similar fashion to costly grace vs. cheap grace, there is a "cheap discipleship vs. costly discipleship" to be seen. There are many ways to cheat oneself in this matter. There is a cost to following Jesus, a very expensive cost. Many are unprepared for it, and even if they are, there are some who are not willing to take the risks involved in pursuing Jesus with all your heart. 

Take, for instance, the attempts of three men to become disciples of Jesus without really considering if they are willing to risk for him. Luke 9:57-62 paints Jesus in an interesting light. The first man to approach him tells Jesus that he will follow him wherever he goes. Jesus replies thusly: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (v. 58). This man promised to follow Jesus prematurely. He wasn't ready, and Jesus knew it. All he had to do was tell the man what he would likely experience, never settling down, and constantly moving around with Jesus, and the man immediately re-thought his decision. The second man is approached by Jesus, and told to follow. The man replies that he will, but he just wants to bury his father. 

This was an act of the man following the law, because it was customary for the son to bury the father before he could claim his inheritance. This man knew what he wanted, and what he had to do, and he wished to fulfill the law before following Jesus. Jesus says this to him: "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (v. 60). Seems pretty harsh, right? Jesus needs followers who believe first and only in him. The man's willingness to place the customs of the law before following Jesus shows a lack of sincerity and willingness to be a disciple. 

The third and final man says "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." (v. 61). This is a completely fair request, is it not? The man will follow Jesus, he just wants to say good bye to his family. Is that too much to ask? 

This man is similar in approach to the first man, in that he approaches Jesus, not the other way around. He is certain that he will follow Christ. However, unlike the first man, this man attaches terms. Though he is willing to follow Jesus, he separates himself from him, as Jesus commands us to follow him above all. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Seek first his kingdom. If the man was truly willing to follow Jesus at that moment, he would not have let anything of the earth hold him back. Even his family. There are many cases of people who are disowned, or kicked out of their homes for their faith. Following God is not taking the easy path. It's like playing Dark Souls II on a low-end computer--about the hardest thing you will ever do. And Jesus makes sure that any would-be followers know this. Paul puts it quite plainly in 2 Timothy 3:12, saying "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." But the Bible also talks of the rewards that we will receive for the persecution we endure, and the trials we overcome. But in order to receive these rewards, we need to seek God first in all things. 

What Bonhoeffer is attempting to communicate through using the example of the three men is this: "If we would follow Jesus, we must take certain definite steps." 

Remember those other definitions of discipleship I mentioned earlier? Well, let's talk about those now. For while Bonhoeffer focuses on the discipleship of God to humans, there is a species beneath that genus--the direct discipleship of young believers by older, more mature believers. We see this throughout the Bible, in the actions of the Apostles, in the relationship between Paul and Timothy, Paul and Silas, and many others. There are also mentions of people who were discipled by Paul in such places as Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Corinth, and other places all around the world. Discipleship is, in essence, the training of fledgling believers by older, more experienced believers. It can be a master-apprentice relationship, as evidenced by the interactions of Paul and Timothy, who studied directly under Paul. Or it can be more casual, in the sense of weekly meetings to discuss accountability, struggles, and whatnot. Discipleship is a two-way street. The senior believer comes not as a teacher, but more like an older brother or sister. Discipleship is an excellent way of developing faith and training others to spread the Word. Thanks to the examples of Paul and his fellows, their students went out and taught others, who taught others. Churches began popping up all over the Roman Empire. Ever heard the phrase "iron sharpens iron?" That's the essence of discipleship. Two believers building each other up, and helping each other grow. 

I want you to think about your life recently, or in long-term. Has God called you to himself? If he has, and you have replied, have you answered him with all of your ability, or is it more of a 50/50 split? Do you give God your best, and seek him first in everything, or is it "I'll give him whatever I have left at the end of the day"? This is a hard thing to be honest with yourself on. I can definitely admit that putting God first before all else is not only difficult, but feels impossible at times. We easily let things slip in the way of our relationship with God. Some things that can be done include first-thing devotions, praying whenever you have the time (if necessary, make time), and reflect on the Scriptures. If you are struggling with making time for God, you'll find that meeting with fellow Christians on a regular basis, for something like a Bible study, or even just coffee or lunch, or whatever it is, can refresh and restore you. Ultimately, God deserves all of our three T's--all our Time, all our talent, and all our treasure. Are you giving the choicest fruits of your labor to God, or is he getting whatever falls off the tree? 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

NOTE: my objective in this is to upload at least one new part a week. I will not always be consistent with this, because of school and whatnot. But rest assured I shall do my best. If you are enjoying the series, please vote it up, and don't hesitate to say hi! God bless :D