No Greater Later Life

When you consider the word ‘disciple’, what image is conjured up in your imagination? It may be a picture of one of the 12 disciples: hairy, rough and holding a fishing net. Or maybe it’s a young and earnest monk or nun from the middle-ages? Perhaps it’s an image from the bible of a child, like Samuel or David.

Do you think of yourself when that word is considered?

What kind of person fulfils the idea of a ‘passionate’ disciple? Jesus himself said that a true follower is one who loves God wholeheartedly – with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – and loves others like themselves (Mark 12:30). Again, it’s easy to think of someone who is literally running after Jesus, being physically energetic as well as making life choices that are radical and long lasting. Teenagers come to mind, students who set the course of their life to full time ministry, those going on short term mission taking risks and being daring in the way they serve others.

Who do you know who is a passionate follower of Jesus?

My grandfather on my dad’s side was an electrician. He retired from work age 69 and became the oldest person (at that time) to be sent abroad by his church denomination’s missionary organisation. He went to Congo and used his skills and his long-established faith to serve the church there. That is radical discipleship – and takes lots of energy and wholehearted commitment! He loved his neighbours who were thousands of miles from his own home and put everything into following Jesus.

My grandfather on my mother’s side was a musician. When he retired, he found himself involved with a team of people who were running evangelistic coffee bars. He had a big car, which he filled with tracts about Christian faith, and gave lifts to teenagers who wanted to go to the events. It was the North of England’s version of the Jesus Revolution, complete with half-grown beards and battered guitars – not my grandfather’s usual scene – but he threw himself into it all, nonetheless.

The way that Jesus modelled his own obedient following of God was in three dimensions. The upward dimension was seen in his devotion in prayer and worship, he knew the scriptures, and he gave time to be with his Heavenly Father. The inward dimension was in the way that he gave himself to the disciples, building trusting friendships, talking with them about faith, praying with and for them.  The outward dimension was in serving those around him – in teaching, caring for the poor, healing the sick and in his miracles and signs. Jesus was passionate in all these dimensions and gave himself wholeheartedly in the way that he expressed his love for God.

Being a passionate disciple does not necessarily mean living abroad or serving an evangelistic team, but it does involve devotion to Jesus in our hearts. This always leads to radical behaviour: whether that is in the way we pray and worship, the way we help strengthen Christian community or the way we serve those without faith. As a church leader I found that the most energy and commitment to follow Jesus came from those who were early or later retired. Big heart decisions had been made; many of the obstacles to obeying Jesus had been decided against or overcome; and the holy habits of discipleship were no longer withered by the heat of affliction or choked by worries and temptations.

I think this was the case with both of my grandfathers. They made deliberate choices in their late 60’s to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. I am not sure either would have said they were evangelists, but it is clear that their discipleship included that third dimension of sharing faith and caring for the world around. This always begins in the place of prayer and upward discipleship – talking with God and hearing from him. And it led to much stronger relationships in the church – the inward dimension of discipleship, where they were both part of solid teams with mutual commitment. Their example impacted those they served but also the churches and friends who were around watching their lives, including their families – my parents.

At the very start of Jesus’ life, we read in Luke 2 that two older disciples of God – Simeon and Anna – have clearly been giving their hearts in prayer and devotion. Mary and Joseph are ‘amazed’ at Simeon’s words of prophecy. His challenge and encouragement set the tone for their mission as parents to Jesus. Anna’s own private discipleship spills out to everyone there and then beyond to all those who are looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And both Simeon and Anna are themselves delighted; Simeon can’t stop blessing and praising and Anna can’t stop giving thanks. Passionate discipleship is good for us and for those around us – and also seems to spread out beyond us to people we have not met and those who will go after us.

Of course there are disciples who are young! And also those who can run quickly, do a thousand things before breakfast, and follow Jesus for many more years. But being wholehearted is really an attitude, a direction, and a decision. And these can be formed by anyone at any age – and the results for the disciple themselves, for those they serve, and for the rest of us that receive something of their passionate obedience, are wonderful.

No Greater Life, by Martin Young, is the theme book and resource compendium for Spring Harvest 2026. It explores the way of obedience in the Great Commandment and the stories of followers in Mark’s Gospel and Deuteronomy. The accompanying Leaders’ Toolkit adds sermon notes, smallgroup notes and other resources to create a series based on this theme for your church.