Over the past few months, I’ve thought a lot about discipleship, more specifically, about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It can be rather difficult to wrap our heads around being a disciple. After all, the gospels portray what it means to be a disciple in different ways. Matthew describes being a disciple as a new, radical way of living. Mark shows the disciples in both positive and negative moments, emphasizing what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. Luke tends to focus more on aspects of self-denial and living sacrificially. And John chooses to focus on accepting who Jesus claimed to be.
There are three descriptors that can help us determine whether or not we are true disciples of Jesus. They are by no means meant to be exhaustive but only helpful.
First, disciples study and learn the teachings of Jesus (the Bible). Then they try to put those teachings into practice and strive to lead others into the same process.
Second, disciples have an imagination. Imagination allows us to see and hear all that God is doing in and through and around us as we marvel in wonder. No one could have imagined water turned into wine, sight returned to the blind, or even grace extended to a wee little man up in a tree. If we are connected to the vine and sensitive to the Spirit’s movement, we will have our imaginations blown away. Why? Because that’s what God does. He upends what we think was impossible and opens our imagination to new possibilities.
Third, disciples take care of their souls through the practice of silence, solitude, and prayer.