In what ways have you been discipled? By your parents, teachers, or by a trusted mentor? Did they teach you overtly? Or did they just model the life of a Christ follower? In simple terms, “discipleship” is the process by which Christians learn more about Jesus and increasingly follow His example. It can happen in many ways.

When Jesus walked on earth, He attracted many followers, some became His disciples. In Luke 5–19, as Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, He taught the people what it meant to follow Him. In today’s passage, an expert in the law approached Him. Recognizing His authority as a teacher, the lawyer asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Rather than answer directly, Jesus responds with a question: “What is written in the law?” Knowing the law well, the man quoted the Shema (see February 1): “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (v. 27). This is the second and only other citation of the Shema in the Gospels (for the first one, see February 2). Though the Shema is cited in the Gospels only on two occasions, it’s clear that this command is central to Jesus’ message of discipleship.

When Jesus affirmed the lawyer’s answer, the lawyer asked for clarification: “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29). In response, Jesus paints a clear picture of neighborly love with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Loving one’s neighbor means sacrificially providing care for another, even to the despised by society.

The story of Mary and Martha follows, providing a concrete example of what it means to love God. Following Jesus and being His disciple means sitting at His feet, attending to His teaching, and prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else.

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