Learning to Follow

My bed is seldom made up. I resist getting up early, setting most of my appointments for early afternoon if possible. Exercise and I have a love-hate relationship; I love the results but hate to sweat. Only on rare occasions do I see the bottom of the laundry basket or totally empty sinks. I'm a musician at heart and a bookworm at brain and unless it pertains to music or reading, it tends to go untended. 

In other words, I'm not what you might call "disciplined." At least, not in every area of my life. At least, not until you get down to the real meaning of the word.

The word discipline shares its origins with the word disciple. That root word is about learning. Jesus called his disciples to come learn who he was, to understand his teachings, to follow him. Jesus' disciples learned him.

What happened after Jesus called his disciples? Actually, he originally called the first 12 apostles, the leaders who were with him constantly, but gradually more disciples began to gather around and follow him. So did he set up a school? Did they all start going to class to sit around and discuss the scriptures from Jesus' point of view? That might have been a wonderful use of their time...is that how Jesus chose to discipline them?

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Of course Jesus spent time teaching his disciples (see the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7) and letting them know what his "work" looked like. But he knew the learning took place out among the crowds, working the "harvest." Jesus saw people who were harassed and helpless. He called his disciples out into the field to work with him.


If we are Jesus' disciples, we are learning to follow him daily. Our discipline isn't about following rules or being "better" Christians; it's about making ways in our lives to learn better how to work in the fields. And remember that when God disciplines us, that's not about punishment...that's about his teaching us:

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
    the one you teach from your law; 
you grant them relief from days of trouble,
    till a pit is dug for the wicked. 
For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance. 
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,    and all the upright in heart will follow it.  
(Psalm 94:12-15, emphasis added)

So how will Jesus disciple you today?