Discipleship & Repentance: Christ’s Call for Repentance
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17
Discipleship is a call from the Lord God. When that call is heard, there needs to be a response. In the call and commission of St. Paul, the Lord Jesus reached out to him. He had the choice to continue to “kick against the goads” but he accepted the call willingly, holding steadfast to the call even unto his death. The call of Christ demands that we repent from our old ways. This is a call to obedience to God. In this life, we are given two paths to take: the way of the world leading to destruction or the way of the Lord leading to life. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your minds” (Rom 12:2). Discipleship is a call from the Lord to conform to Him and not to our desires or the enticements of this world.
Discipleship: Immediate Response, Steady Walk
Immediately they left their nets and followed him…. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:20, 22
The Call to Christian discipleship is like a limited-time offer. There may not be another chance to take it up. The fishermen by the shore, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, heard the voice of Jesus and immediately they accepted. This phrase, “immediately they followed,” is used twice in the Matt. 4:17-22. There was no question of their choice. They began to follow. Of course, the Apostles and other disciples were not always of strong trust and faith in Jesus. They failed many times and misunderstood Jesus even more. Yet, in their walk with the Lord, both in the Lord’s earthly ministry and in their obedience to his commands after his Resurrection, they held on to the call, even to the point of death.
Discipleship is focused on the Savior’s call to follow, with the command to repent. The call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ requires our immediate attention and commitment till the end. It is not meant for the perfect people but for those who through the work of the Holy Spirit are willing to be perfected. May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with us. Amen.