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Back in 1915, Ladies World magazine named Francis X. Bushman "the most handsome man." Bushman's looks earned him a great living. As a model, he cleared about $250 a week. But Bushman's agent, David Freedman, saw an opportunity for greater wealth. Freedman said that if he could get Bushman into the movies (silent films were becoming very popular at that time), "the sky was the limit."
Since the studios wanted talent with a dedicated following, Freedman came up with a plan to convince the movie producers that Bushman drew large crowds. Freedman met Bushman at Grand Central Station in New York City and walked with him along 42nd Street until they reached the Broadway offices of the Metro Film Corporation. As they strolled, Freedman carried a large bag of pennies with a hole in it. A crowd soon followed behind the men, waiting to pick up the coins as they fell. By the time Freedman and Bushman reached the Metro Film offices, the crowd was so large that the studio counted themselves lucky to sign Bushman to a contract for "only" a $1000/week (at a time when the average American worker brought home $14.42 each week!).
Bushman appeared to have followers, but they weren't committed to him, just their own prosperity. Sadly, that might also be said about some of Jesus' followers today. Some follow Jesus to gain social standing and build a network of useful contacts as a church member. Some follow because they superstitiously hope that God will protect them from the troubles and suffering of life. Some follow as "fire insurance," fearful of hell if they don't obey Jesus. Some folks even follow because they believe what some charlatan told them — that God wants them to be rich and have the best things in life as a disciple of Christ. Contrast that with what Jesus actually told his disciples in John 16:33 (NIV), "In this world, you will have trouble..." Jesus honestly revealed the cost of true discipleship.
Jesus also clearly articulated his expectations of his followers, so you can test your discipleship by examining your life through Jesus' eyes.
In John 13:35, Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Jesus original Apostles included a revolutionary, Simon the Zealot, and a government bureaucrat, Matthew, the tax collector. That probably led to some spirited debates around the campfire, but those two men had to learn to love each other. They had to learn that their differences didn't matter nearly as much as what they had in common - a love for Jesus. In a world where Republicans and Democrats believe that the other party is responsible for all of America's problems and where racial, economic and cultural differences still produce conflict, believers still need this reminder that our discipleship is measured by our love for another. There's no gray area here. The Apostle John writes in 1 John 4:7-8, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Jesus lists a second qualification for discipleship in John 14:23-24: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching..." Here's the rub: Most folks don't mind obeying the teachings of Jesus until that teaching touches a sore spot in their life, like requiring them to give generously of their resources or grant forgiveness to an enemy. Then they tell themselves that they are disciples because they obey most of Jesus' commands. But that's not what Jesus said. Incomplete obedience is disobedience.
Real disciples don't quit; they're in it for the long haul. In John 15, Jesus said that his disciples must bear fruit, but then he told them how to do it. In John 15:5 Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Following Jesus is not a part-time activity, a whim to be indulged when convenient or easy. Jesus said "remain in me." That's full-time discipleship as the hardships, frustrations and disappointments mount and the years accumulate. Real disciples never quit; they "remain."