Discipleship

Involvement

There is one thing we can say about the Lord Jesus. He was involved in the lives of those He was seeking to reach. First, He was involved in the lives of the twelve disciples. He chose these men to be with Him. He took them into every situation. He did not just tell them what to do; He showed them. They were with Him as He faced every problem. They saw Him pray. They saw Him deal with the Pharisees. He laid down His life for these men. He questioned them and answered their questions. He put responsibility on them and required an answer. He did not hold Himself aloof, but washed their feet and served them in every way. They needed more than this, as their experience at Calvary revealed, but Jesus poured His life into these men even before Calvary. Have we carefully considered how our Lord taught these men?

Secondly, Christ was involved in the lives of people. He went to their weddings and feasts. He taught in their temples. He ate in their houses and walked their streets. He had no house of His own, but gave up every comfort and convenience to be with the people He wanted to reach. He "lost His life," so to speak. He was willing to be with people all day and then spend the night in prayer. He was willing to go to a house when asked to meet a need. He was in the middle of a crowd, but even there He was sensitive to needs along the way. He was busy, but not too busy to ask the children to come sit on His knee.

What we are saying is that this was no classroom training. This was training in real life with real people who had real needs. To use the modern term, it was "hands-on training." Making disciples cannot be done without this type of involvement. If those of us whom God has called to be teachers are not involved in the lives of our students, we will never be able to make disciples. The subjects we are called to teach cannot be communicated by intellectual instruction.

Thirdly, we can say that those who benefited from the teaching that Christ was able to give were those who opened up their lives to involvement. Jesus did not go to every house--only where He was invited. He did not meet every need--only the needs of those who came to Him. Those who did come had to press past many hindrances, but their diligence was rewarded. Christ was willing to be involved, but the people had to open the door of their lives. Involvement goes two ways, and without both, it will not be the involvement that profits. Have we opened our lives to God's servants? Have we invited them into our homes and our lives? Have we stated our needs and asked for help? Jesus said that those who ask will receive. It is easy to sit in the lecture hall and listen to instruction; it takes boldness to come out of hiding and begin to ask questions. If we are not willing to humble ourselves and begin to ask for help, our needs will not be met. Can I admit I need help? Am I willing for others to be involved in my life? If not, I can never be a disciple.

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