Characteristics of an Ideal Disciple as Taught by Jesus on His Journey to the Cross
Mark recorded two spectacular instances of Jesus restoring sight to blind men (Mark 8:22-26; 46-52). These healings serve as bookends for a record of Christ’s journey to Jerusalem, where he would soon take up his cross (8:22-10:52). Along this journey toward suffering, Jesus taught his closest followers vital lessons for being devoted disciples. These lessons would enable them to carry out his mission in the wake of his pending crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Together, these lessons form a pericope (or section of Scripture) that “opens our eyes” today to the characteristics of an ideal disciple. They demonstrate that everyone who follows Christ must be prepared to take up the cross for him (8:34).
To follow Jesus, a person must first believe the truth about his identity and mission (8:27-30). While many people are willing to recognize him as either an honorable prophet or an exceptional teacher, a disciple must acknowledge even more about him. He must believe on Jesus as the victorious, divine Messiah sent from God to provide salvation from sins and entrance into his kingdom. Furthermore, a disciple must also focus his mind on priorities that pertain to the kingdom of God rather than those of this temporal existence, whenever the two contradict. This mindset connects the belief in Jesus as Messiah to the affairs of daily life.
While many people are willing to recognize him as either an honorable prophet or an exceptional teacher, a disciple must acknowledge even more.
This newfound focus will require the disciple to say “no” to himself and take up his own cross to follow Jesus. Mark 8:31-38 provides a helpful backdrop for understanding what this “taking up the cross” might look like for disciples today. Verse 31 indicates that a disciple should be prepared to suffer in a variety of ways, especially under persistent scrutiny from nonbelievers, including the scrutiny of influential religious and political leaders. Verse 33 indicates that when a disciple pushes back against this suffering and scrutiny, he is focusing on the wrong agenda. Just as Jesus picked up his cross and carried it before the jeering crowds, a disciple must accept his own suffering as a necessary corollary to following a godly agenda. He must make God’s priorities his own, regardless of the suffering that results.
“Taking up the cross” is equivalent to “following Jesus” (8:34). It is learning to say “yes” to his commands, priorities, and agenda while saying “no” to personal, selfish preferences and concerns. This exchange may result in a depreciated quality of life by to worldly, temporal, materialistic standards; but the disciple will discover true life in return and will advance the glory of Christ and the spread of the gospel (8:35-37). Ultimately, “taking up the cross” entails being unashamed to identify with Christ not only in private adoration but also in public expression, aligning with his values and way of life in open view. So “taking up the cross” entails being known as a follower of Christ among colleagues and co-workers, family and friends, neighbors and classmates. When animosity and suffering come as a result, a disciple should not shrink back in shame but should continue to emulate Jesus, even when setbacks occur (8:38).
“Taking up the cross” entails being unashamed to identify with Christ not only in private adoration but also in public expression, aligning with his values and way of life in open view.
To follow Jesus closely, a disciple must listen closely to the things that Jesus said (which are recorded in the gospels and expanded in Acts, the epistles, and Revelation) (9:7). In fact, a faithful disciple will pay close attention not only to the teaching of Jesus, but to the teaching of all Scripture, including the Old Testament (OT). He will study both the OT law and the words of Jesus to ensure an accurate understanding of God’s will (10:3, 10-12). He will endeavor to grasp sincerely God’s perspective and intention in giving his commands, but will refrain from legalistic hair-splitting and disingenuous hermeneutical questions (cf. 10:3).
A disciple who believes on Jesus as Messiah and understands the heart of God in Scripture will devote himself to serving others. He will do this instead of seeking to be made prominent, to be promoted over them, or to be served by them (9:34-35). He will also serve little children with the same degree of dignity and care as he would give to an adult, leading anyone to Jesus who is eager and willing, regardless of age and social norms (9:36-37). It is worth noting that Mark emphasized both these forms of humility, welcoming children (10:13-16) and serving others (10:35-45), by repeating and expanding them in inverse order as Christ neared Jerusalem. This repetition underscores the importance of these qualities as marks of an ideal disciple. Mark further underscores the mark of humility by recording the way that Christ endorsed the simple, humble faith of a child as an example for all disciples to emulate (10:15).
To carry out Christ’s mission when challenges arise, a disciple must learn to exercise personal confidence in Christ and his teaching (9:23). First, he will demonstrate his confidence through prayer (9:29).[1] Second, he will demonstrate confidence by managing his material and financial resources in harmony with God’s values and agenda (10:17-23). Third, he will learn to embrace the fiery trials that he will encounter as an inevitable part of following Jesus (9:49). By learning these characteristics, the disciple will mirror the character of Jesus.
To carry out Christ’s mission when challenges arise, a disciple must learn to exercise personal confidence in Christ and his teaching.
By following the way of Jesus, an ideal disciple will ultimately foster a more considerate mindset towards others (9:35; 10:43-45). According to this pericope (8:22-10:52), this new mindset will exhibit at least five characteristics. First, the disciple will appreciate (instead of compete with) other professed disciples who are outside his immediate circle of relationships and influence (9:38-40). Second, he will implement serious measures to prevent himself from committing egregious, personal sins towards which he may be inclined and which may harm other people, especially other believers, and especially children (9:42-48). Third, he allows his close relationships with other believers to bring about personal purification rather than increased contention (9:50). Fourth, he upholds the sanctity and continuity of marriage rather than multiplying reasons for divorce (10:1-12). Fifth, he will show compassion for those in need whom the world commonly marginalizes (10:46-52). Altogether, these five characteristics resemble the same commitment to others over self as Christ exemplified supremely.
In conclusion, Christ taught his disciples on the journey to Jerusalem, as recorded by Mark, to follow the same pathway to the cross as he would do. This eye-opening perspective does not require every disciple to carry a cross and die on it, though some would apparently do so (10:39). Instead, it requires the disciple to listen carefully to the words of Jesus, embrace whatever suffering ensues, and serve other people along the way, seeking to draw them into the kingdom of God as Christ himself would do.
[1] “Most witnesses, even early and excellent ones (𝔓45vid א2 A C D L W Θ Ψ f1, 13 33 𝔐 lat co), have “and fasting” (καὶ νηστείᾳ, kai nēsteia) after “prayer” here. But this seems to be a motivated reading, due to the early church’s emphasis on fasting (TCGNT 85; cf., e.g., 2 Clem. 16:4; Pol. Phil 7:2; Did. 1:3; 7:4). That the most important witnesses (א* B), as well as a few others (0274 2427 k), lack καὶ νηστείᾳ, when a good reason for the omission is difficult to find, argues strongly for the shorter reading.” NET Bible, 1st ed. (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), Mk 9:29.
