Feature: Part II

By Olaf Clausen Sabbath School, Children’s, and Personal Ministries Director

TO BE LIKE JESUS: DISCIPLESHIP AND BIBLICAL SPIRITUALITY IN THE 21st CENTURY

In this five-part series, we will be exploring the meaning and method of discipleship and biblical spirituality in ancient times and ask ourselves how we might live better lives as modern disciples of Jesus.

Sin and Repentance: Broken on the Rock

In our last installment, synagogue had preserved they were celebrated by their we discovered that one a system of master-student disciples and the community of the foundations of discipleship (rabbi-talmid), at large. Indeed, by Jesus' day, worship in Jesus’ day had which protected the faith this was very much the case as become the study of the of the Jewish people and we observe Jesus upbraiding Word of God as led by master its future generations. the rabbis and rulers of the teachers in the synagogue.

However, this same system time (see Matthew 12:28–40; Through the development was prone to the human 23:15; Mark 12:40) while and continuation of spiritual condition's failings, in that still upholding their teaching practices (see Nehemiah 8) leaders and teachers could system (see Matthew 23:3). and protection of the oracles easily become headstrong, Indeed, Israel's spiritual of God (see Romans 3:1), the proud, and corrupted as leadership had so lost its way that it could no longer humble itself as their great prophet Moses had done, even to the point of desiring the death of Israel's Messiah. This is not to say that all the leadership was corrupt. Jesus' appeal moved Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea to the leadership. Indeed, the Scriptures tell us that many priests and rulers came to faith in Jesus after His resurrection (see John 12:42; Acts 4:36–37; 6:7).

Nevertheless, something was missing in Israel's attitude toward God and sin: humility and repentance. In fact, this was the whole point of the sacrificial system—maintenance of the stark awareness that one's own sinfulness causes death and, ultimately, the death of God's own Son. Even the prophet Moses was prone to this same lack of humility when he struck the life-giving rock in the wilderness in disobedience to God (see Numbers 20:9–12). Despite the daily flow of blood emanating from Israel’s sanctuary, it was still possible for God’s people to forget or become desensitized to their need for humility before Him.

Accordingly, the holiest day of the Israelite calendar was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (or, more specifically in the Hebrew, the Day of Covering). On this day, all Israelites were to humble themselves before the Lord, forgiving one another of their sins and, in turn, asking forgiveness. The people fasted and prayed, abstaining from food and water as they anxiously awaited the sign from the high priest that God had forgiven them of their sins. The greeting and prayer in those days leading up to Yom Kippur was Kotvenu b’sefer he-hayyim, "May you inscribe us in the Book of Life." From this liturgy, we can infer that true humility and repentance are a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of Heaven, and I would suggest this was Jesus' primary concern.

As we survey the Scriptures describing Jesus’ life and teachings, we come away with such a profound sense of His humility. Beginning with the very Son of God condescending to be born among a sinful people to humble circumstances of toil and derision and culminating with His terrible crucifixion as the sinless Lamb of God, every word and action of Jesus implored His disciples (indeed, all of humanity) to be humble and repentant. Is it any wonder that Jesus taught His disciples to be humble servant-teachers who avoided grandiose titles and public accolades? Only He could be the true Master, the true Rabbi, and consequently, He commanded His disciples not to take on these titles (see Matthew 23:8). For the disciples of Jesus, putting on titles and airs is dangerous to the human condition and can lead even the most devoted to fall (Peter’s repeated denial in Mark 14 is a case in point). Is it any coincidence that just before the disciples’ greatest trial, Jesus washed their feet. Friends, the lesson is clear: to be a truly great follower of the Master, you must not only accept but also joyfully seek out the role of a servant, that you may remain humble (see Mark 10:45; Luke 22:24–30; John 13:12–15; Philippians 2:5–8).

The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur

Accordingly, the holiest day of the Israelite calendar was Yom Kippur, the Day of “ Atonement or, more specifically, in the Hebrew, the Day of Covering. On this day, all of Israel was to humble themselves before the Lord, forgiving one another their sins and, in turn, asking forgiveness.

For those of us born to sin, this is a tall order. Just like the leadership of Jesus' day, all of us innately desire to be esteemed, even worshipped by our fellow human beings. Today, our whole social media culture revolves around the cult of celebrities and influencers. Dare I mention church celebrities and influencers also? Many of our children are bombarded by the message that they must receive riches and adulation to be an acceptable member of our culture, and sadly, so many of them sacrifice their integrity on that ineffectual altar. Surely, Jesus’ message of becoming a servant is all the more detestable in today’s culture, but ironically, it’s the only way to true happiness and immortality. The catch is that we can’t get there by ourselves. Only the Rock can break through our stubborn, sinful nature:

Torah portion scroll

Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust. (Matthew 21:43–44)

Friends, the truth is, left to ourselves, we can never make that decision to fall on the Rock, but praise God, He has sent us a Comforter and Guide in the person of the Holy Spirit to enable us to make that decision! Theologians call this “prevenient grace”—the grace that comes before. This means what we consider to be “our” decision to follow God and become His disciples is, itself, an enabling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, even in this decision, there is nothing of merit in us. Isn't that good news, friends? We must even rely on God to help us choose Him! Likewise, through His power, we are enabled to become truly humble and repentant servants of the kingdom of God. Today, while the world beckons us to strive for the most likes and followers, let us resolve to be more like Jesus and be His truly humble followers.

Join me next time for Part 3 of our exploration of biblical discipleship, entitled Forgiveness and Growth: There is a Balm in Gilead.

Pr. Olaf Clausen, MA is the Alberta Conference Director of Sabbath School, Children’s, and Personal Ministries. He is a specialist in Judeo-Christianity for the SDA Church in Canada and North American Division Jewish Ministries.