The Call of Discipleship

This week the church celebrates the call of the first disciples. John tells the story in 1.35-51. Before you read it, take a minute to consider the Jewish context.

Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi, teaching Jewish disciples, living in a first century Jewish world. His world revolved around Judaism. The educational system was 100% religious. When children were 5 they would begin the first stage of education. It was called Beit Sefer. During the next 5 years, students would dedicate themselves to MEMORIZING the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). By the time they were 10 years most Jewish children had the first 5 books of the OT MEMORIZED!!!!

At that point, most students went to work with their parents to learn the family trade and begin working. But the best students started another phase of education called Beit Talmud. Their they spent the next 5 years memorizing the rest of the Hebrew scriptures. By the time these students were 15, they had the entirity of the OT MEMORIZED!!!

Again, most of those who entered this phase, went back to work with their families, but the best of the best went on to the final stage of their education called Beit Midrash. Here, the best of the best sought out a Rabbi for whom they wanted to be a disciple. A disciple was not just a student. A disciple was one who learned the Rabbi's thoughts and followed his ways so that the disciple could do teach what the Rabbi taught, do what the Rabbi did, and be just like the Rabbi.

Watch this clip about discipleship from Rob Bell's series "Nooma."
(since I don't know how to post a link, go to familychristian.com and search for "nooma dust." There will be an option to watch a preview).

Now check out John's story.


The really cool thing about all of this is that we are not called to be students of Christ, but rather DISCIPLES of Christ. Any student can answer the oft asked question: "What would Jesus do?" But only a disciple can really do what Jesus did and be who Jesus is. The call to follow is a call to be a disciple of Christ. That means not only do we seek to know Christ, but we seek to be like Christ. This is the essence of Christian Holiness. More than just knowing God, we must be like Chirst. We must think as he thinks, do what he does, live as he lives, and love as he loves. That seems a pretty tall order, but we must remember that Rabbis don't call just anyone to be their disciples. They only call those who they know can learn their ways, do their deeds... be just like them.

Christ calls you! That means Christ believes you can be just like him. You can know him. You can learn his ways. You can have his mind. You can do his work. You can have his heart of love. I know, it seems like such a difficult task. It seems like an awefully high expectation. I know, it seems impossible. It seems impossible that ordinary sinful people who live in a broken and sinful world could truly be holy just as our Father is holy. There is only one way to find out if you can really be transformed...and the world through you... That one way, in the words of Christ, is if you will "Come and See!"

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Now it's your turn. If being a disciple is more than just being a student, what else might it entail? What do you think discipleship might look like in your life? In your church? What other things might helps us to be just like Christ?