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Disciple (Loyal Student of a Teacher)
Meaning
The word “disciple” means student. The Greek word is “mathetes” which means “follower of a teacher.” In ancient times, many Rabbis and philosophers had student followers who would learn from them. In the Apostle Paul’s case he was taught by a famous Rabbi named Gamaliel. And it’s this term we apply to followers of Jesus. We are His disciples. This means we not only learn from Him, but we also loyally follow Him and emulate His actions. And more importantly the word disciple also signifies relationship. During this time teachers invested a great deal of time as well as themselves into the teaching of their disciples. Therefore, not anyone could be a disciple. The disciples were chosen by the teachers, or in the case of Jesus called by their teachers. Not anyone could be a disciple. It took commitment and work, and a heart committed to following and learning from the teacher.
Now it’s important to understand at this point that the word “disciple” and the word “apostle” do not mean the same thing. While it’s true that an apostle is also a disciple, it’s not true to say a disciple is an apostle. The apostles were specially chosen disciples, greatly used by God to lay the foundation of the church and to write scripture. Today we do not have apostles in that sense.
However, we do have disciples today, these are also people whom God has called. People whose hearts have been touched by the Holy Spirit and as a result they have received the Gospel of Christ and become followers of Jesus. And this is why when the Bible speaks of our salvation, it does so in terms of relationship. We have been called and we followed Christ. And because of our faith we have become His disciples. We have committed ourselves to Jesus and we have in turn received the free gift of salvation in His name because of God’s grace. This also means as disciples, we commit ourselves to studying God’s word, learning everything we can from our teacher. This also means we follow Jesus where ever He leads us, just as His disciples did in Bible times.
“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'” (Gospel of Matthew 9:10-11)
“Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?'” (Gospel of Matthew 9:14)
“While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.’ So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.” (Gospel of Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25)