What does it mean to be a disciple?

Peter declared Jesus is the Messiah then Jesus starts teaching the disciples what it means to be a disciple. This was the process of preparing them for His coming crucifixion. Jesus also last words to the disciples before the physical death was upon the cross. Jesus left no doubt what discipleship ment. (Matthew 16:24).

What does it mean to bear your cross? To take up your cross and follow Christ means to deny yourself, but what is that exactly? Most people understand the concept but have their own opinion about how to do it. They put their own spin on it without seeking out the true meaning. Some look at denying self as physical and material goods, accomplishments or whatever they see as meaningful things, but these are not the real concept of denying self and picking up your cross and following Christ.

The image of carrying your cross is picking up heavy wood and walking down the road where the crowds of people would laugh and ridicule you every step of the way. The wood was a curse of life turning into death. The sounds from the people were of pure pride that they get to live life as they want to and you had to die. They ridiculed the one carrying the cross because of the choices that they had made. 

The sound from heaven was the sound of the shopher but only the select few could hear it (John 12:28). Glory and honor came from heaven to the name above all names, the son of God. Jesus Christ. Being a disciple means you are walking under the name of Jesus and not your own. 

When someone is mentoring you or you are mentoring someone that person takes up your characteristics and attitudes. You become more like the person that is mentoring you, the one you are following. In history we learn that the priest and those in authority knew the order of monarchy. This is where people who are learning and have the evidence of doing good would get the opportunity to come alongside the one in high standard in the monarchy. The person would go to the priest and ask to be mentored by them and to walk close daily with them. 

We see this today when someone comes to the pastor or teacher and says they believe they have a call on their life to preach or teach, or whatever; and want to learn under a certain person. They are one who has come to the choice to take them under their wing or not. But in the Bible we see a different way of mentoring. Jesus went into the different places and called forth those he saw as the disciples. These men were not of the upstanding elite of the society, they were not found in the places typical for choosing an understudy.