What Does a Study of St. Mark's Gospel Tell Us About What It Means to Be a Christian Disciple?

A disciple is a person who follows and loves Jesus and helps to spread the teachings of what Jesus taught. They are a member of the new community, and they become more and more like Jesus through a life of faith and obedience. Jesus taught that the life of a disciple must be like his own, which is a journey to the cross: a disciple must ‘take up his cross and follow’ (8:34-35). St Mark’s Gospel helps us understand the nature of discipleship through various stories concerning the disciples. Jesus required a tremendous amount of commitment in order for anyone to be accepted as a disciple, which is why he only ended up with a few deeply committed followers. It was a commitment to be dedicated to Jesus, who had no self interest but was more concerned for a development in God and the life of others. Jesus was extremely committed and he wanted the same commitment from the disciples in return. He wanted them to trust him with every move he made as he took their lives and moulded them into the accordance of his will. A disciple should