Understanding the Bible - Coursework Example

Understanding the Bible THE DISCIPLES In the New Testament the word used for disciple is mathetes, which is Greek for disciples(Freedman, Myers, Beck, .2000). The word is derived from Latin discipulus, which is Latin word for student (House, 1998). We can see that there is a clear distinction between the multitude and the disciples. Three rings of discipleship can be observed when dealing with disciples in the New Testament. We have a large group of followers from which twelve are chosen. They were to be with him and preach the gospel [Mark 3/14]. { So when Jesus selects his Apostles, from the disciples, he must have thought them to be models to the other disciples of we could say that he expected the same of the disciples.} Then we find an inner circle consisting of Peter, John and James who alone are asked to go with Jesus for certain occasions like the transfiguration [Mark 9/2-13] and for the prayer at Gethsemane [Matt 26: 36-46]. THE DISCIPLES IN THE GOSPELS The first thing that comes to mind when we think about disciples in the gospels as a whole is the beloved disciple who appears in John’s Gospel. Even though scholars are of the opinion that he is present in the Synoptic Gospels too as a shadow, the beloved disciple appears distinctly only in the second half of the Gospel of St. John. He is present throughout the Passion, the empty tomb and the resurrection. The word initially pops up during the final meal where he reclines on the breast of the Lord.[John 13/23-25]. He goes on to outrun Peter to the tomb [20/1-10] and recognizes the Lord when he stands on the shore [21]7]. Even though many to John and even to Lazarus attribute the identity, the figure today stands for the ideal disciple. He is the model of discipleship because he is the person who believes without physical evidence, and testifies about the works of God in the person of Jesus, like an ideal witness. Whoever he is the e source of much tradition and the anchor of Johanine Christianity. Next, we find that Jesus also compares the disciple with the child. When we think about a child we only think about their innocence, dependence and readily believing nature Mark [9/36,37]. To them he promises the kingdom of heaven. This shows Jesus’ understanding that the grace of God is showered on one and all without reference to their personal merit. He expected his disciples to understand and accept this. He wanted them to accept it as a gift, as a child would. The dependency and need in a child was expected of the disciple. This, is advised by Him when presenting the child and saying that none would enter the kingdom but he who accept it as a child. [Math: 18/3]. Even Christ portrayed himself as a child of God – an obedient child till his last breath where he fulfills even to the last breath the will of His Father. He loves his disciples as his father has loved him [John 15/9]. He has selected his disciples out of the world. He has made them his own and loves them with an everlasting love. He is the vine and the disciples are the branches. He compares himself with his disciples and says that they will face whatever he himself is going to face. But he also assures them his timely help. [John 15/1-25]. THE MISSION The lofty mission of a disciple was not an easy one to carry out. Christ himself called the disciple to the mission. To be faithful required a deep-rooted commitment. Not even blood relations or matrimonial ties could stand in the way. The disciple was supposed to carry the cross alongside Jesus. [Luke 9: 57-62]. He said that whatever came his way would also come across the path of his disciples. It might seem a paradox, but becoming a disciple involves hating certain things. It meant placing Jesus before everything a person would consider valuable in this world. It even means hating oneself. [John 12: 25] However, he asks the disciple to be long suffering and righteous. He is the source of life and Joy. [John 15: 1-11]. But Jesus, like a great leader, also puts joy and freedom combined with eternal life before the disciple. [ Luke 14:12-14] 9 (Freedman, Myers, Beck, .2000). He envisions his disciples as ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel [Luke 22:30]. But whoever wishes to be the follower should be dead to himself. He should mortify himself and walk the path of the cross. [LUKE 9/23] (House, 1998). TO BE A DISCIPLE According to Mark, to become a disciple meant accepting the gospel. Mark wanted his community to announce the good news to the whole of creation and make disciples of all humanity [16:11]. To preach the gospel was to him to celebrate the works of Jesus and to proclaim his conduct and Passion. It was through these that disciples were made but for Matthew and Luke it requires a personal decision. It meant the decision to follow Jesus and imitate him in this life. The disciple’s life and values had to be patterned with that of the master who asked them to follow him [Matt 4/19]. Even if not very active in His missions, all His disciples were asked to fix their attention on the kingdom and not on this world. [Mark 10:17-31]. Even the Seventy who were set out ahead of Jesus to proclaim the gospel were bereft of shoes, as a symbol of poverty [Luke 10/4] (Stravinskas.1998). CONCLUSION The disciples, picked out of the common melee were trained to imitate and follow Him, that was the Way, the Truth and the Life. Like the Master that He was he remolded them for the Kingdom of God. Is there anything that you have learned from the Bible in general? Is there anything that surprised you? What has made it clear to me, is the fact that even though Jesus was a single person and the Word of God, there are four gospels. At times, there is confusion between the four as in the case of the thief at the right hand. Often the commentaries vary and clarity fades, to the critical eye. But it should be understood that the details are not at all in conflict with each other on a careful analysis. So while reading the gospels any good commentary or a good reference should be made use of before jumping onto any conclusions. Although the gospels written by four disciples namely peter, john, mark and luke, are somewhat similar in their ideas, but are different In their styles. Eventhough they have different literary styles, which can be attributed to their authors attitude, they all convey the common message of Christology. Jesus Christ is the towering figure in all the four gospels. He is regarded as the Messiah and the only Son of God. Bible in itself is a surprise. It shows how easy and how difficult is the way to salvation. Before Word of God, I used to think of the great works that I would do to attain Christ. But it came to my gradual realization that this was not done by myself, but was given as a free gift, as to a child. The only thing that I could do was to keep the soil ready waiting for the grace of God to come. This, of course would mean that I should do all I can, because God’s worst is always much better than my best. Works Cited: Freedman, David Noel.. Myers, Allen C.. Beck, Astrid B.2000. Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible. California: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. House, H. Wayne.1998. Israel: Land and the People. New jersey: A1Books.co.in. Stravinskas , Peter M. J. 1998. Our Sunday Visitors Catholic Encyclopedia. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Read More