What Makes a Disciple? – Luke 6:12-13

In Scripture, discipleship is often illustrated where Christians are the branches that have complete dependence on the Vine (i.e. Christ). Thus, the converted that remain in Christ are able to bear fruit through a life of discipleship. And an important aspect to making disciples is prayer as exemplified by Christ as he communed with the Father to pray for his disciples. In the same manner, disciples of Christ are to follow Christ in making disciples through fervent prayer to God.

The prayer of Jesus makes a disciple

Jesus is a man of prayer as emphasized often times in the gospel according to Luke. Jesus intentionally set aside time for prayer and he often went off to the nearest mountain (Mk. 1:35-36). Jesus focused on the importance of prayer for preparation and success of his ministry. It begs the question why Jesus, who is the Son of God, had to pray and prayed as often as he did. As Christ emptied Himself when he took on flesh, he became like a servant of God.  From the time of Christ’s incarnation, he submitted to the Father to learn obedience through prayer. Jesus exemplified that prayer and obedience went hand in hand.

“and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.” When it came to choosing the twelve disciples, Jesus prayed throughout the night as he knew the church would be built through them following his resurrection and ascension.

The calling of Jesus makes a disciple

Jesus called the twelve disciples to himself a year before his crucifixion. During the two previous years, Jesus had called many disciples to himself, but he specifically called the twelve by name to be his disciples and apostles.

All Christians are disciples as we are called by Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Being a Christian is our nature and being a disciple is lived out in action through faith and obedience. In other words, becoming a Christian implies conversion whereas becoming a disciple implies sanctification. Faith (conversion) without works (discipleship) is dead (Jas. 2:26).

Obedience is a hallmark of Christianity and Jesus exemplified his perfect obedience even until the point of death. Jesus’ love and trust of the Father allowed him to submit and obey. Therefore, those that love and trust Christ will also obey to the end. “Real faith results in obedience. True faith is never seen as passive – it is always obedient” (John MacArthur).

As the Holy Spirit enables the sinner to repent and believe in Christ for salvation, it is the same Spirit that dwells with each believer that enables to obey leading to sanctification.

The commission of Jesus makes a disciple

Jesus also commissions his disciples. What Christ commissioned to the twelve is the same for all Christians when it comes to making disciples. The Great Commission is the Christian’s commission and duty to obey. Christ is the prototype of a disciple of who submitted to the Father’s will in making disciples.

Therefore, we must at fervently pray for evangelism that leads to discipleship. Every disciple is involved in discipleship as an ongoing mission in this side of glory. And the only way to grow in our passion for discipleship is a life that cultivates the gospel of Christ through diligent communion with the Lord through studying the word and prayer.