what's it worth?
i went to hear a man speak last weekend at a presbyterian church here in town. his name is Ray Vander Laan (RVL for short). he talked about discipleship, and what it means to really be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Man. side note: Jesus liked to call himself "Son of man" a lot - do you think that was just his own reminder that he was human? i know there are greater prophetic implications carried by the title, but you can't help but wonder what God thought every time he referred to himself as Son of Man. anyway, discipleship...
so it turns out that being a disciple doesn't mean leading a good life, going to church regularly, and throwing some church vocab into your everyday language now and then. rather, to be a disciple, a talmid, is a radical commitment not simply to following your rabbi, but a commitment to become like him in every way - the way you think, the way you act, the things you say, the causes you commit yourself to - in every way. and a disciple doesn't just try to do this because he has to, because after he finished college and had a degree that couldn't get him a better job he decided to try out this discipleship position. no, a disciple has an intense desire, an overwhelming passion for becoming like his rabbi. and for a rabbi to call a disciple, to say "follow me" is for the rabbi to say "i think you have what it takes to be like me."
so Jesus calls us, still today. "come, FOLLOW ME. my yolk is light and my burden is easy." and for those of us who respond to this call, he says further, "go and make DISCIPLES, baptizing them and teaching them everything i've commanded you."
first, i'd like to just say thanks to RVL for the education, and also for the challenge. because, if we take this thing seriously, you can't deny that it's quite a challenge, to say the least.
so now all i have to do is figure out how this whole discipleship thing plays into my plans for med school and a life as a physician. don't get me wrong, i mean, i want to be like Jesus, but i have plans, important things to do... plans. so i'll just have to figure out how this new education about the call to discipleship can fit into my plans, right? any suggestions?
so it turns out that being a disciple doesn't mean leading a good life, going to church regularly, and throwing some church vocab into your everyday language now and then. rather, to be a disciple, a talmid, is a radical commitment not simply to following your rabbi, but a commitment to become like him in every way - the way you think, the way you act, the things you say, the causes you commit yourself to - in every way. and a disciple doesn't just try to do this because he has to, because after he finished college and had a degree that couldn't get him a better job he decided to try out this discipleship position. no, a disciple has an intense desire, an overwhelming passion for becoming like his rabbi. and for a rabbi to call a disciple, to say "follow me" is for the rabbi to say "i think you have what it takes to be like me."
so Jesus calls us, still today. "come, FOLLOW ME. my yolk is light and my burden is easy." and for those of us who respond to this call, he says further, "go and make DISCIPLES, baptizing them and teaching them everything i've commanded you."
first, i'd like to just say thanks to RVL for the education, and also for the challenge. because, if we take this thing seriously, you can't deny that it's quite a challenge, to say the least.
so now all i have to do is figure out how this whole discipleship thing plays into my plans for med school and a life as a physician. don't get me wrong, i mean, i want to be like Jesus, but i have plans, important things to do... plans. so i'll just have to figure out how this new education about the call to discipleship can fit into my plans, right? any suggestions?
posted by kentbrantly at 1:38 AM
4 Comments:
this is all very true Kent. Thats for that thought. However, what if one of your patients isn't a christian???? WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN??????
well, i dont' have any suggestions...sorry....but i just wanted to say that my home church watched a video series that he did on location at biblical sites. It was very cool and he filled it with lots of interesting historical facts while teaching lessons of discipleship in the early church. If you really liked him, you could look into those videos.
The Brown
That's an easy one, Kent. As a doctor, no matter what your speciality, there will always be more opportunities than if you weren't one. There are all sorts of countries that it is highly improbable to get into if you are not a doctor, but they will ask you to come if you are. practically beg.
And if you don't want to go anywhere else, think about this: Most people hang on every word or suggestion from their Doctor. Not all people, but if you have made a connection with a person, they will respect what you say and do much more if you are a Doc. I've seen it happen. So even in your congregation, wherever it may be, you can have more of a voice, regardless of your age. As a doc, you have a great responsibility to be honest and to guide patients and people in the right direction. Sounds like a great way to minister. Just do it!
But that's an interesting proposition you make. I didn't know that about disciples. I pray I put it into my life more often.
Your question of "how can discipleship fit into my important plans about being a doctor?" is the WRONG question. I too have listened to RVL quite a bit, and if you truly believe what he said about discipleship, then here is the right question you need ask yourself: How can my plans for being a doctor fit into my plans for being a disciple?
You have to fit being a doctor into being a disciple. Does that make sense? If being a disciple isn't the #1 thing on your list, and everything else takes second to it, then you're not a talmid at all. You said:
"i want to be like Jesus, but i have plans, important things to do... plans"
I'm sorry, but if you're called to be a talmid, then your "important plans" are WAY less important, and you should treat them that way. Sound radical? Well, it really is in today's western Christianity. Still think you're called to be a talmid? I sure hope so.
In the dust of his feet,
-James, aspiring talmid
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