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Explain what a study of St. Mark’s Gospel can tell Christians today about the nature of Discipleship - page 1
Keywords: marks gospel ao1 a01 discipleship
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 3 pages: 1 2 3Christians today tend to agree on the main points and ideas of discipleship however, different interpretations can be formed about Mark’s Gospel. Fundamentalists and Literalists believe that the Gospel can have no error, and take the writings very literally. Conservatives and Liberals on the other hand, share the views that Mark’s Gospel was written for people to understand on a personal level, and as it was humanly scripted, it is quote possible that mistakes were made during its writing. These separate ideals may influence what a Christian considers to be the ‘nature of discipleship’, but all Christians agree on the characteristics that a good disciple must possess.
According to a standard dictionary, a disciple is “a pupil or adherent of another”. I believe such a ‘pupil’ should practice particular traits such as selflessness and loyalty, and should present themselves as someone extremely committed to their mission; someone dependable. A disciple also has to deny his own authority to play the perfect role as a follower. Jesus is shown to be the ultimate disciple, as he asks nothing of his adherents that he has not, himself, put into practice.
Jesus calls upon his disciples to help him, and they respond immediately. This calling is not something they have asked for; it is a summoning from the Lord, and Jesus’ followers show true discipleship in their selflessness and their urgency to serve God. They left behind their possessions, families and jobs, proving their complete faith and dedication, and because of this humility, the disciples were sure to be rewarded with eternal life in the Kingdom of God. As well as portraying excellent discipleship, the immediate, loyal response suggests that Jesus was a powerful and authoritive figure with a magnetic personality.
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, and he said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. What Jesus meant be this, was that he would leave Simon and Andrew as figures responsible for finding men and delivering them to Religion, and the Kingdom of God. He also called upon James and John to join in his mission. Instantly, they responded to Jesus, leaving behind their father and their wok.
Levi, the tax collector, was called too. He was sitting amongst other tax collectors when Jesus told him, “follow me”, and Levi responded straight away. When Jesus was questioned about his socializing with the tax collectors and other sinners, Jesus replied: “It is not the
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