the discomfort of a disciple

Germanischer Krieger mit Helm (1902)

By
Osmar Schindler (1867–1927)

Yesterday I was doomscrolling (in my spare time) and came across a reel from The Chosen series. 

I have already seen this episode, but this time it struck me differently.

The reel showed Jesus and his disciples walking along a path when they came across some Roman soldiers. The soldiers, by right (and according to Roman law), demanded that the disciples and Jesus carry their ‘very heavy’ gear for one mile. So reluctantly they did. They were not happy; it was a hot day, and the gear was heavy, and the Roman soldiers patrolling were laughing, and, well, a bit relieved as well.

Jesus smiles, and happily carries the gear, and wears the heavy helmet as well on his head, and when they crossed the one-mile mark, the Roman soldiers knew that by law, they could not demand them to carry further; but then Jesus here does something remarkable: he continues walking… and beckons his disciples to do the same.

The disciples are aghast and question him, "Rabbi, why?" And here Jesus takes the opportunity to show what a disciple curtails…

Reciting the verse from Matthew 5: 41: “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” Jesus smiles and continues walking, carrying the heavy gear… and the disciples do the same.

 In the scene from the Chosen series, the Roman soldiers look surprised, and even a bit ashamed of their behaviour… they help carry parts of the gear, and one soldier even removes the heavy helmet from Jesus' head… and together they continue walking down the path.

I have read and come across Matthew 5:41 soooooooo many times. Growing up in a Baptist family and attending Sunday school, youth service, and camps, sometimes Scripture's familiarity leaves us with no personal reflection; it isn't profound or deep. So when I saw this clip again (the reel) from the Chosen series, it reminded me in a new way what being a disciple truly means. 

The discomfort of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The kingdom principles here are reversed, and while it is readily acceptable to embrace the love of Jesus Christ, being a disciple, a follower, and a Christian at times demands discomfort because it contradicts the world's standards.

If anyone wants to follow me, he/she/they must pick up their cross, deny themselves, and follow me.

If you are ordered by the court to give up your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

If you are slapped on the right cheek, then offer your left cheek as well

Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who persecute you.

And these principles are not easy to follow (at least for me).

I demand my rights, my right to be heard, to be seen, to be acknowledged.

When someone cuts me off in the road, I cuss at them in my car, or at least in my mind; I don't say, " Wow, God bless you, brother, thanks for nearly knocking me down."

Or when someone else steals my ideas, plagiarises my work, and takes the credit that is due to me, I take immediate offence, because why not.

When someone slanders me, I cannot love them; I cut them off, block them, and remove them.

When someone has hurt me, that's it; I cut off all communication and hold a grudge in my heart, silently hating them…because how dare they.

How many times must I forgive them?  Seventy times seven?

And of course, the discomfort; why should I sacrifice my time, my comfort, in this hot and humid weather, to do something that will only serve others?

What about me? 

And that is how the world usually operates.

It demands that we be justified. It teaches us to distance ourselves from those who only seek to benefit from us. 

The world tells us that discomfort is not for us.  We should not go out of our way to serve others. 

The meek are trampled upon, the humble are ignored, and the lowly are mocked.

It tells us that 'we' are the main character. (Main character energy). 

And yet, here we have Jesus, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, walking the extra mile literally, carrying heavy Roman gear in the hot weather… and teaching his disciples to do the same.

I am reminded that being a disciple of Jesus asks for my discomfort; if it glorifies God, if it means building bridges, if it means showing love in the face of unkind people, if it means bringing people closer to the revelation of the Cross.

Perhaps this is the only way to live in this world, because it is serving, selfless, sacrificial,  just like what Christ did for us.