The path of discipleship

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus? To walk the path of discipleship is more than just a casual decision or a temporary trial run. It's a lifelong commitment that shapes every aspect of our lives. Today, let's explore four crucial elements of this journey: reflecting God's glory, trusting by faith, embracing the cross, and walking in humility.

Reflecting God's Glory

Imagine standing atop a mountain, witnessing a sight so magnificent it takes your breath away. This is precisely what Peter, James, and John experienced when Jesus was transfigured before them. For a brief, awe-inspiring moment, the veil of Christ's humanity was pulled back, revealing His divine glory in all its splendor.

But why these three disciples? It wasn't because Jesus loved them more or considered them more special. Rather, it was because of how God intended to use them in the future. This teaches us an important lesson: sometimes God will do things for us He won't do for others, not because we're better, but because of His unique plan for our lives.

Witnessing God's glory serves multiple purposes. It strengthens us for the challenges ahead, lifts our eyes from earthly struggles, and reminds us of the hope we have in Christ's coming kingdom. As followers of Jesus, our heart's desire should be to reflect His glory to the world around us. Like the moon reflecting the sun's light, we don't generate glory ourselves – we simply live in such a way that when people look at us, they see Jesus.

Trusting Jesus by faith

Coming down from the mountain, Jesus and His disciples encountered a father desperately seeking help for his demon-possessed son. The other disciples had tried and failed to cast out the demon, leaving them frustrated and confused.

This story beautifully illustrates the struggle between belief and unbelief that many of us face. The father's honest cry, "I believe; help my unbelief!" resonates deeply. How often do we intellectually know that Jesus has power and authority, yet struggle to trust Him fully in our impossible situations?

Jesus' response to His disciples' failure is telling: "Because of your little faith." This wasn't about the quantity of their faith, but its quality. They had likely treated the exorcism as a mechanical process or ritual, forgetting their dependence on God's power.

In those moments when our faith feels small and imperfect, the answer is to go to Jesus. Like the father in the story, we can honestly express our struggle: "Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief." It's in acknowledging our weakness that we open ourselves to His strength.

Embracing the Cross

Just as the disciples were basking in the glow of these miraculous experiences, Jesus brought them back to a sobering reality – He would soon be delivered into the hands of men, killed, and raised on the third day. This abrupt shift teaches us an important truth about discipleship: it involves embracing the path of the cross.

Now, this doesn't mean we're called to literal crucifixion. Rather, it's about dying to ourselves daily. The path of the cross means choosing faithfulness over comfort, denying our own desires, and standing firm on God's promises. It's a daily surrender to Jesus, often running contrary to our natural inclinations.

In our comfort-seeking culture, it's tempting to assume that if God is leading us, the path will always be smooth and easy. But the reality is that discipleship often involves rough and challenging terrain. When the going gets tough, our instinct might be to search for an exit ramp or an easier route. But true discipleship calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him, even when it's difficult.

Walking in Humility

The final lesson comes from an unexpected source – a discussion about paying the temple tax. When asked if Jesus pays this tax, Peter quickly affirms that He does. But Jesus uses this as a teaching moment, pointing out that as the Son of God, He's technically exempt from this tax meant to support His Father's house.

Yet, despite having every right to refuse, Jesus chooses to pay the tax "so that we may not cause offense." This seemingly small act encapsulates one of the most challenging aspects of discipleship – walking in humility.

In a world that constantly emphasizes our rights and encourages us to stand up for ourselves, Jesus models a different way. He shows us that sometimes, the path of discipleship means voluntarily giving up our rights for the sake of others and the greater good.

This kind of humility doesn't come naturally to most of us. When someone offends or hurts us, our instinct is often to respond in kind or assert our rights. But the way of Jesus calls us to a higher standard – choosing to respond with grace and humility, even when we have every right to do otherwise.

Reflection and Application

As we reflect on these four aspects of discipleship – reflecting God's glory, trusting Jesus, embracing the cross, and walking in humility – it's natural to feel overwhelmed. The path of true discipleship is indeed challenging. But remember, we don't walk this path alone or in our own strength.

Just as Jesus provided for the temple tax in a miraculous way (instructing Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth), He provides what we need to follow Him faithfully. His sacrifice on the cross made this path possible for us, and His ongoing presence and power enable us to walk it day by day.

So, let's ask ourselves: In which of these areas do I struggle most? Where do I need to grow in my discipleship journey? Perhaps, like the father in the story, we need to cry out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" in certain areas of our lives.

The path of discipleship isn't about perfection – it's about progress. It's about daily choosing to follow Jesus, reflect His glory, trust His power, embrace the challenges, and walk in humility. As we do so, we'll find that this path, though often difficult, leads to the most fulfilling and purposeful life imaginable.

May we each commit anew to walking this path of discipleship, knowing that as we do, we're becoming more like the One we follow – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.