“A breed is a group of domestic animals with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals of the same species.”
In the horse world, as well as other domestic animals, a breed is usually certified by its pedigree. For example a young Arabian horse is certified as an Arabian breed based on the pedigree of the sire and mare. But the Rocky Mountain breed is unique. It is a breed established in 1986 that is certified not only by its pedigree but also by traits that must be observable in each individual horse.
Rocky Mountain horses originated in eastern Kentucky in the late 1800s, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. They were sure-footed, easy-gaited, and the mount of choice for postmen, doctors, and traveling preachers. People used them for plowing small fields, herding cattle, traveling over the steep and rugged trails, and driving a buggy to church on Sunday. Horses were not a luxury, but a necessity. Every horse had to earn its keep and be extremely versatile. Occasional pleasure riding was rarely if ever an option. Stamina was also a requirement because after each exhausting day of hard work, the horse had to be able to work just as hard the next day.
A Rocky Mountain horse is only certified when the horse has been officially examined and meets the certifier’s standards regarding:
- HEIGHT
- BODY
- GAIT
- TEMPERAMENT
- COLOR
Within each of these common categories, the Rocky Mountain horse has distinctive parameters.
During the period of the Gospels, discipleship was not uncommon. There were disciples of Moses, various Rabbis, Socrates, Plato, etc. Jesus took a common term and gave it His own description. He called and taught His disciples to be a “breed apart”. It was not enough to be just a disciple/learner. As His disciples they were to demonstrate distinctive qualities, without which they were not “certified”. His apprentices were uncommon men and women who demonstrated certain traits that reflected who Jesus Christ was and what He stood for.
Since making disciples of Jesus Christ is a mission that transcends time and cultures, you would expect that these traits would be transcultural, multi-generational, and applicable throughout history. They couldn’t be a list of activities such as “goes to the temple to worship” or “doesn’t go to the Coliseum on game days”. They would need to be qualities that were more embedded in a person’s character: the very DNA of his life. And that is exactly what we find.
Notice how quickly His disciples were recognized as a breed apart.
“Now as they (the Jewish leaders) observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus” (Act 4:13).
If Jesus gave us a picture of what His disciples look like, we are not free to make up our own version. We should be able to see similarities in a Chinese, Brazilian, or Swedish disciple regardless of whether he lived in medieval Europe or in 21st century America.
The George Barna Group was asked by The Navigators a few years ago to do a study to determine the state of discipleship in America. The opening statements of the executive summary said this:
“A critical component of this study is to define “discipleship.” The concept is familiar to many, but a widely accepted definition remains elusive. “
You would think by the ambiguity of responses to the question, “What does a disciple of Christ look like?” that we have not been given clear direction other than the overused generic “looks like Jesus”.
A critical reading of the Gospels show us that there are many implied characteristics of discipleship, but Jesus gave only a few definitive statements. I would suggest that a good starting point for being and making a disciple, is to understand those definitive statements that Jesus made. Since Christ is the only one who can certify His disciples, we would do well to develop the traits He is looking for and expecting.
In the following blogs I will identify and reflect on the five definitive traits that Jesus said would characterize His disciples. These traits are not electives from which we can pick and choose. Like the Rocky Mountain breed, all traits are to be present to receive the certification. There are a lot of horses, but only a few qualify to be a Rocky Mountain horse. In a similar way, we are told to become and to make a certain kind of disciple: a disciple of Christ.
Reflection
- If you were on trial in God’s courtroom, accused of being a disciple of Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
- What are some of the common cultural expectations for a follower of Christ today? How have they changed over your lifetime?
Excellent as always!
Thanks Ron, excellent insights as always. Looking forward to reading about the five definitive traits that Jesus said would characterize His disciples.
A disciple is thoughtful and mindful in the culture God has placed him in. Language doesn’t seem to matter. In fact I find that language and cultural meanings tend to enhance the the understanding of God’s Word and how He speaks to us in the different language and culture. I believe the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and the Rocky mountains had a lot to do with the making of the Rocky Mountain breed. One of the questions we might ask is, “What are our mountains?”