Disciples & Servants

Matthew 10:24 “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”

During my testimonial message at our church Men’s Fellowship breakfast this last Sunday, I touched on a current live issue of discipleship being discussed by the membership and the pastoral staff. An article on the subject asks us to note the twofold relation of the believer to the Lord Jesus Christ expressed in this Bible verse above. It states that we are His disciples and servants; He is our Master and Lord. Each of the two relationships is vital. The word for “disciple” (mathētēs) means “pupil or student.” The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “disciple” as: a learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of a Rabbi. But, also a follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.

John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The word “master” (didaskalos) is the same as “teacher or instructor.” The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “master” as: A man who rules, governs or directs either men or business. A man who owns slaves is their master; he who has servants is their master; he who has apprentices is their master; he who has apprentices is their master, as he has the government and direction of them. The man who superintends and directs any business, is master, or master workman. The director of a school; a teacher; an instructor.  

Matthew 10:25 “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.”

The article concludes that the Lord Jesus, therefore, is our teacher, and He teaches us through His Word—the Holy Scriptures. It is our function to learn His teachings and, of course, to believe them. No Christian (one under the authority of Christ) has the right to reject or even to question one of the teachings of His Word. The lord-servant relationship goes even further. The word for “servant” (doulos) is actually “bond slave” and the focus is in the relationship, not the service. The “lord” (kyrios) of a slave was his owner; the word itself means “supreme ruler” and is the title commonly assigned to God Himself in the New Testament. Thus, if a disciple is to believe the word of his master without question, the servant is to obey the word of his lord without hesitation.

Luke 6:46-49 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

But the world scoffs at the teachings of God’s Word, and will try to persecute those who seek to follow them. The unbelieving world of Christ’s visitation—even the so-called religious world—responded to the teachings of the Master by ridiculing Him, then torturing Him, and finally hanging Him on a tree to die. John 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” Yet we are to go to the same world with the same teachings? You bet! A disciple is a disciplined student/follower of Jesus Christ, and the three D's to a disciple's success are dedication, devotion and a heart-felt desire to obediently learn from and live for the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.