INSPIRATION ............................................................................................................................... .................................................................................. .
MAXINE EDGAR
Maxine Edgar is married with four grown children, and designs wedding dresses for the Gypsy community
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“So you must go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end” (Matthew 28:19-20).
As we embarked upon Easter, I have reflected upon the Cross and given consideration on how Jesus left the disciples to shape and fashion the world. The Commission was clear! So why, in the ‘present age’, is discipleship looked upon as infantile and even unnecessary? This view is further enhanced by the belief that, because the Holy Spirit is the greatest Teacher, no further teaching is required! Why, oh why, can’t we just ‘do the Bible’?
The Bible has not changed; discipleship remains a command. It is essential for the growth of the individual, and enables the successful development of the Church. A disciple sat under a teacher and assisted in the spreading of doctrine. Biblically, we associate the word ‘disciple’ with the twelve students of Jesus. These men spent 18 months in the full-time company of Jesus. But, unlike what is happening in the Church today, Jesus did not immediately send them out; He identified flaws within them, and He knew they needed preparation before being sent out to minister to others.
Jesus’ method was unique. He used thought-provoking proverbs to correct them: “You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend's eye, but you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye” (Matthew 7:3), and often a harsh rebuke: ‘Jesus turned and looked at His disciples. He scolded Peter: “Get behind me, satan!” He said. “You are not thinking about the things of God. Instead, you are thinking about human things”’(Mark 8:33). With a lifetime of bad habits, the disciples needed to be refined and disciplined; they needed to ‘drop some stuff’.
Jesus enabled His disciples to look into themselves and submit to change. You could say He literally put them through deliverance. They were in awe of Jesus; they marvelled at His knowledge. He knew them better than they knew themselves;
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bad characteristics of the disciples; He was able to extract that which was not conducive to the life of a disciple. He knew that they would not be perfect, but they needed to commence ministry with the correct mindset and, for the disciples, the transition was spontaneous.
“Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“The Church needs to recognise the biblical importance of discipleship. Church leaders need to ensure that an effective programme of discipleship is implemented and is compulsory, with all members expected to partake.”
important to be a disciple
Why it’s
Maxine Edgar examines how Jesus trained the disciples for ministry, and what 21st century believers can learn from the process
they were totally committed to Him and, as they grew closer to Him, they wanted to be like Him. There was a commonality between the disciples and Jesus - the spreading of the Gospel and love.21st century Christians should follow this example and demonstrate the same.
Just like the disciples, we need to be prepared to identify flaws in our character, some of which we are not even aware of. Many of us have experienced rejection and struggles; life has been difficult. We may have also encountered continuous battles within our families and homes, with our schooling and in the workplace. Unfortunately, when we come to Christ, unwittingly we want to carry those battles and issues into the church. That cannot work! The disciples were normal men; they thought nothing of being critical, competitive and judgmental; they thought little of accusing others wrongly, and pride featured highly on their list of negative attributes. But Jesus still chose them. Jesus perceived the good and the
The disciples would have deemed themselves prime candidates for spreading the Gospel. We also believe we are prepared. But try raising a topic on a missed marriage or employment opportunity, or childhood recollections of ‘preferential treatment’, or sexual abuse kept under wraps; or stories about children left back home, who eventually came to England and were treated as second-class citizens by their own parents, whilst their newly-found British siblings were treated as royalty. The Church is rampant with issues buried alive, feelings lying dormant. God is looking for honesty and, armed with the Holy Spirit, He wants us firstly to submit to Him by acknowledging that we are not without our issues, and then to initiate an act of ‘searching ourselves’ in an attempt to recognise them, and then ask God to help us as part of the sanctification process.
The Church needs to recognise the biblical importance of discipleship. Church leaders need to ensure that an effective programme of discipleship is implemented and is compulsory, with all members expected to partake. New wine cannot be put into old wineskins. Discipleship sets the individual free; it brings about liberation. Discipleship eradicates pride; it takes our focus off our personal achievements, and illuminates the Commission. Discipleship breaks strongholds. Discipleship brings about humility. Discipleship makes us more like Christ. Why, oh why, can’t we just ‘do the Bible?’
Leyton, East London, and teaches discipleship ............................................................ ............................................................
Maxine attends the New Testament Assembly in
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