Disciples of Jesus not People Pleasers

 In the ancient world of the Bible, prosperity was an experience for the few. Many were poor day labourers and many were simply slaves. When we read the teachings of Jesus, he often speaks of poor day labourers, servants and slaves.

He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Mk 9:35 NRSV

When the Jewish disciples were doing missionary work among the non-Jews, a whole new movement of God came into being. The time came when the majority of the disciples were no longer Jewish.

In the Roman Empire, the economic system was based on slavery. Many of the first Christians were slaves. They had virtually no rights. They had to obey every command and fulfil every wish of their masters.

St Paul wrote that Christian slaves should obey their masters. Otherwise the master was allowed to whip or kill his slave.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ;
How are we to understand this teaching from Jesus today? Eph 6:5 NRSV

…  whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mk 10:44–45 NRSV

There are Christians who feel obliged to fulfil every wish of their family, every request of their boss, every instruction of their pastor, as if they were slaves and everyone around them their master.

This is exactly how they understand Jesus' teaching that they should be the slave of all. But is that actually true?

Jesus was obedient as a child, but as a preacher he was different. He was always willing to help. He wanted to do good to everyone, but he was not there to do the bidding of the religious leaders.

If everyone is your master, you cannot follow Jesus.

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Mt 6:24 NRSV

God promises to provide for our natural needs. I do not find any glorification of poverty in the Bible. But there are Christians who spread an extreme doctrine of prosperity. That's where I sometimes see greed showing up.

Greed can be your master, but it is not only greed that can distract us from true discipleship.

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Lk 14:26 NRSV

So should you hate your family? God forbid! The Bible teaches us to honour our parents.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Eph 5:25 NRSV

So what did Jesus mean?

If you are a follower of Jesus, your love and loyalty to Jesus must be greater than your obligation to please your family, your friends, your church, or your church leaders.

Christians who always feel obliged to fulfil the expectations of others may be in heaven after they die, but they cannot follow Jesus here on earth.

Those who say yes to Jesus must often be able to say no to others.