Phil Mayo - Joining Jesus on the Way: Discipleship in the 21st Century

2019 Phil Mayo

Joining Jesus on the Way

Discipleship in the 21st Century

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019911135

ISBN 978-1-400328123 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-400328130 (eBook)

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To my dad

My first teacher

EJ Enrichment Journal

NTL The New Testament Library

NINTC New International New Testament Commentary

NT New Testament

OT Old Testament

SOM Sermon on the Mount

SOP Sermon on the Plain

T his book, like most books, began as a dream about three years ago. I have always desired to write a book that would be of service to the church in a much broader way than the academic writing I have done. Like all dreams, this one did not come about without hard work and a lot of help from many people. So, I would like to offer a few words of thanks to those who have helped this book become a reality.

First of all, I would like to thank the administration of North Central University who granted me a yearlong sabbatical in order to write this book. The time to reflect and to write has been invaluable. I would also like to thank my colleagues at North Central who have encouraged and cheered me along the way. A special thanks goes to Dr. Leslie Evens, Professor of English at North Central University, for reading portions of the manuscript and offering style, grammar, and punctuation suggestions. I, however, bear the full responsibility for the final product and any errors that remain.

My family, as well, have been a tremendous support to me throughout this process. Mark Kamleiter, my brother-in-law, read portions of the manuscript and offered a number of helpful suggestions. He and his wife, my sister Julia, as well as my sister Karen encouraged me, prayed for me, and supported me in every way possible. I am deeply indebted to their love.

My wife Jolene has been my rock. She has read each chapter throughout the process of writing and thinks everything I write is wonderful. Every writer needs someone like her. I couldnt have done any of this without her support, trust, love, and prayers. She is a gift from God, and her presence reminds me every day of Gods love. Finally, to God be all the glory for the inspiration and for the fruit that might be borne as a result of this work.

L uke is my favorite Gospel. Of course, as I have often told my students over the years, picking your favorite book in the Bible is much like trying to pick your favorite piece of chocolate out of a box of chocolates. They are all good, but some appeal to you more than others! Luke is that kind of Gospel for me. One reason I love his writings, in general, is that Luke doesnt leave us wondering what happened after Jesus ascended into heaven. After all, Jesus chose and invested himself into at least twelve disciples, and it is nice to know that they actually lived up to the call he placed on their lives. We can look at the church today and our own personal faith to know that they didnt fail, and the letters of Paul certainly affirm that as well. However, Luke does us the favor of giving us a sequel to his Gospelthe book of Actswhich documents key moments in the lives and activities of the early believers as they move out from Jerusalem unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

I love Lukes Gospel, too, because it is likely written by a Gentile. I say likely because we dont know this for certain. A handful of scholars argue that Luke is a Jew. It is true that he is very familiar with Jewish customs and the Jewish Scriptures, at least the Greek translation of them known as the Septuagint (LXX). However, Colossians 4.1014 tends to suggest that Luke is among the gentile companions of Paul. I think he is probably a God-fearer. These are Gentiles who were attracted to the monotheism of the Jews, the righteous living required by the Law, but never fully proselytized. Luke tends to highlight these Gentiles in Acts; the Centurion Cornelius in Acts 10 is an example. Luke himself was probably one among their number and received the message of salvation through Jesus with great joy and became an active companion of Paul on his journeys.

All of this means that Luke is not an original follower of Jesus. Where he is from or how he heard the gospel message is the subject of speculation. If the we passages in the book of Acts Others have suggested that he originated in Antioch, but no one really knows. Since our first encounter with Luke through the we passages in Acts takes place in Philippi (Acts 16.11), it is possible that he is a convert of Pauls ministry there. Whatever the case, he certainly became a beloved companion and partner of Paul (Col 4.14).

The Uniqueness of Luke

I like Lukes writing because Luke is well-educated, and his writing reflects his skill. Luke writes in the accepted style for historians of his day, and his command of Greek means that his works reflect some of the best in the New Testament. Both of his works begin with a prologue, what we might call a preface today, with the Gospel preface being the longer of the two. In the preface to the Gospel, he outlines his reason for writing and that he has carefully investigated those things handed down from the eyewitnesses and servants of the word (Lk 1.12). Luke is a careful historian, and throughout Luke-Acts, he provides historical markers for the events that happen, showing that God is fulfilling his promises in full view of humanity. As Paul tells King Agrippa, It was not done in a corner (Acts 26.26).