What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
The gospels, the good news stories about Jesus' life and ministry, mention him talking to and about his disciples.
Some preachers make a really big deal of being disciples, as long as you do what they prescribe. Pray this way. Live this way. Think this way.
Many Episcopalians shy away from the word ‘disciple’ because we prefer to think for ourselves and engage our faith in less prescriptive ways.
Good news, friends. Disciple, mathētēs in Greek, means ‘learner’ or ‘pupil.’ Disciples are learners, often with allegiance to a particular teacher. So when we say we are disciples of Jesus the Christ, we follow the teachings of Jesus. We are also learners, actively thinking, discovering new ways of understanding and applying our faithful learning to our lives and the world we live in.
Many people found Jesus’ teachings to be refreshing, inspiring, and life-giving. The gospels tell many stories of thousands of people gathering to hear Jesus teach. Disciples.
Many people today gather to learn about Jesus in faith communities of many sizes and flavors, all around the world and online. Learners about a message of hope and reconciliation, that God’s joy may be complete by the whole world becoming a community of peace and thriving. Disciples.
In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter speaks to a room full of disciples and calls for the selection of another apostle. Apostolo means witness, or someone who gives testimony to something they experienced. Jesus’ apostles are those who were part of Jesus’ inner circle, who accompanied him from his baptism to his ascension. Twelve is a sacred number in the history of the Jewish people because there are 12 tribes of Israel. Thus, Peter calls for a replacement for Judas, to fill out the apostolic team.
These 12 were not the only apostles. Justus is another who is named in Acts, and we know there were women like Mary Magdalene who accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry as well. The 12 who are named play significant parts in spreading the gospel to the known world.
Apostles took the good news out to the known world, bearing witness to the teaching, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus as they heard and saw and felt it. Good news of God’s love and grace walking dusty roads with them.
Apostles bear witness to their first-hand experiences of Jesus.
By definition, there cannot be any more apostles once Jesus ascends to heaven.
Today is the Sunday after the Ascension. Only Luke and Acts, books attributed to the same author, give accounts of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The Ascension happens 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus says a final farewell to his followers and then rises into the clouds.
Just after watching Jesus disappear into the clouds, two people in white robes appear among them and ask the disciples, “Why do you stand looking up into heaven?” An angelic prompt to get moving with continuing Jesus’ mission, as he had been preparing them to do for the past 40 days.
When Jesus rejoined his disciples after the resurrection, they didn’t recognize him at first. Others doubted that it was really him. Once he breathed on them with holy breath and broke bread with them, they recognized him.
Before his death, Jesus took the lead on teaching and healing. Disciples learned from him, dipping in and out of his following as he journeyed around the countryside. His apostles watched and listened and learned as unwitting apprentices to his ministry of healing and reconciliation.
In contrast, Jesus spent his post-resurrection time pointedly preparing his followers for leadership. He clarified his mission and purpose: that God’s and his joy be made complete in the sharing of God's reconciling love with the world. Creating a community of joy, where all people and creation thrive in peace and plenty. He made succession plans: confirming Peter as the lead shepherd to love his sheep.
Jesus is confident in his disciples’ ability to carry on as he empowers them to follow his lead to proclaim God’s love, create justice and peace. And then, with final words of blessing and promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus leaves.
“Why do you stand looking up to heaven?”
Jesus may not be here in person, but he prepared us well.
He prayed for our protection and strength to withstand the temptations and doubts the world presents. To keep our eyes fixed on the fullness of life and joy God desires for all people. To find our strength in sharing the stories of how we have experienced God’s grace and forgiveness, in gathering to praise God and pray for the world and one another, in eating together. And always learning as we reflect on how Jesus’ teachings speak to us and our world today. So that we can share what we know about hope and joy in our every day word and actions.
As Episcopalians, we look to our baptismal covenant for an outline of what it means to live and learn as a disciple of Jesus the Christ. Some touchpoints that always bear fruit are: repent and return to the Lord; respect the dignity of every human being; and protect and restore the beauty and integrity of all creation. In our baptisms, we are called into a disciples life of community, self-reflection, and faithfully living our questions.
Jesus comes to us in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Blessed by our gratitude to God, the humble offerings of our lives are transformed into holy food and drink. Nourishment for our bodies and souls. Consuming the body of Christ, we become more and more the body of Christ for the world.
We ARE disciples, yearning and learning, to share the hope and joy we have known in our own lives. Why are we looking up to heaven? The good news is HERE and our lives are telling it to the world.
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