Theory question 105
Discipleship(a) What demands did Jesus make of the prospective disciples he encountered? (b) Explain any one of the demands made of them by Jesus.
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(a) To a scribe who offered to follow Him anywhere: "Foxes have holes… but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head" — be ready for hardship (Matthew 8:19-20; Luke 9:57-58).
To one who wanted first to bury his father: "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead" — put discipleship first (Matthew 8:21-22; Luke 9:59-60).
To one who wanted first to say farewell at home: "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" — total commitment without looking back (Luke 9:61-62).
Deny oneself, take up one's cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
Hate (love less) father, mother and even one's own life, bear one's cross, count the cost and renounce all one has (Luke 14:26-33).
To the rich young man: sell what you have, give to the poor and follow Me (Mark 10:21).
(b) Explanation of one, e.g. the plough: a ploughman who looks back makes a crooked furrow; a disciple whose heart is divided between Jesus and the old life cannot serve the kingdom properly, so commitment must be full and immediate.
List the demands from Luke 9 and 14, then explain one fully.