Jesus started a small group. For three years his group rode the tumultuous ride of life together. The twelve he chose were marked often by confusion and failure. There is this scene in Mark where Jesus shakes his head and asks, “Do you still not understand? Do you have eyes but not see? Do you have ears, but do not hear?” Sound familiar? Of course, any of us who have sought whole-heartedly to see others grow in discipleship share the same frustration. People commit, yet do not follow through. They put on the yoke of discipleship and instead of finding it easy and light, believe that they have been shackled with a load too difficult to carry. People are given to failure. How many times have we muttered under our breath, “think I’m just wasting my time with _________” (you fill in the blank).
We discover as we look into the eyes of our Master that his way with others is unusually patient. His discipleship of the 12 is marked with more failure than success, yet he never gives up on them. At times they are indifferent, confused, terrified, slow to see, and show little faith. But, perhaps the greatest failure of all was that when it was all on the line “they all forsook him and fled.” Not long after this scene, Christ’s own body would collapse on the Dia Valorosa taking up the cross that he bid his disciples to carry. They refused; so the incarnate Son of God took hold of the beam and forged the way.
Perhaps that’s the role of a mentor, a discipler. To model with our own life, at our own expense, in both times of success and times of failure, the way to God. It seems that Jesus’ example is more transformative than his words. "I am with you as one who sacrifices on your behalf. So, love one another". "I am one among you who washes your feet like a slave. Go, serve one another". Jesus asked His disciples to follow nothing but His own example.
So often I want my leadership of others to be based on my keen insight, unique giftings, and personal potency. However, Jesus’ leadership of the 12 is framed through the lens of follower-ship. The secret to Jesus’ leadership is his unswerving desire to follow. His followership, not his leadership, transformed his small community. This too will transform our communities.
Your investment in lives of people might seem like its yielding little to no results. Perhaps the people God has placed in your life are slow to see and they just can’t get on board with you. If so, take heart. Remember your Master. He drove his way into your life by means of the nails that pierced his own.
Successful discipleship for Jesus didn’t come fast or easy. It was slow and agonizing for him. Why should it be any different for you? Bear patiently the cross you have been called to bear, praising God all the while. "Do not grow weary in well doing, but remember you will reap much if you do not give up". Do not be consumed with the mantra “lead them”. Rather, listen to what the Master commands. “Follow Me.” Follow Him and you will lead others to Him in the process.
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