While I was in Kuala Lumpur this week we stopped by a mall to have dinner. As we were walking to the car to make our way to the hotel I saw this sign pictured here.
The sign resembles the historical Christian symbol at the height of the Church's persecution. The idea behind this was when believers met each other one would draw an arch on the ground or carve it on a table top the other person then is expected draw the lower arch to form the fish.
This was the way they knew who were believers. This allowed them to fellowship with one another without fear of being betrayed. In those days this sign served the purpose of determining who was a real disciple and who was not. Today this sign does not mean much. Anyone can have a sticker and yet not be a true disciple of Jesus.
The declaration at Sushi King is not "Jesus is Lord!" instead what you will hear is "Irassaimase". There is a better sign to determine who the true disciples are. Jesus told us how to know who the real disciples were:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
According to Jesus the real sign that will make people know that we are Jesus' disciples is when they see how we love each other. Having stickers and symbols is much simpler and easier. However real discipleship is about opening our lives and building lasting relationships with one another.
In the words of theologian Francis Schaeffer: "Our relationship with each other is the critereon the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful- Christian community is the final apologetic."
Doctrine, good theology, a deep appreciation for Christian history and legacy are essentials and must never be taken for granted but the ultimate sign of discipleship is how we love one another. In my own words "discipleship is relatonship".
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