Discipleship - Come Follow Me (Part 1)

Sea of Galilee

When we think of the word “discipleship”, not many of us are excited about it because we know that it is hard work and lots of discipline involved. Some may even shunned away from such topic. But discipleship is very important to our walk with Jesus as our eyes are fixed on Him this year. The word disciple occurs about 269 times in the New Testament.

During the days of Jesus, there were already the master-disciple relationships going on. Discipleship was not a new idea to them. After the child at the age of 6-10, finished his "Bet Sefer" or our primary school equivalent, he would proceed on to "Bet Talmud" (Secondary school) from 10-14. By the time, he finished these 2 levels, he would have memorized the entire Hebrew text (Genesis to Malachi).

What made them want to do so or to follow certain person? (They were inspired. They have the drive. They were going for the best to be the best) 

After the age of 13-14, the formal education stops. After this age, he would take on a trade. If the boy wanted to further his training in preparation for being a judge, teacher, scribe, head of synagogue or rabbi, he can further his study of the Torah in a small group or come under a certain scholar as his disciple. He would go and look for his master of choice and asked to be his disciple. But you must be one of the best, the cream of the crops and not the average joes because the master will only choose the best for himself. You must show to your master your knowledge, your diligence, your passion, your hunger and your commitment for him to accept you as a disciple. You must also have the mind and heart to take on the yoke of his teaching. Yes, the yoke of the teaching. It means his interpretation of the Scripture.

If you proved worthy to become his disciple, "Come, follow me.” And you would leave your family. You would leave your family compound. You would leave your village. You would leave the local synagogue where you had been studying. You would leave everything and you would follow that rabbi. You would become a disciple, a student. You would give your life to being exactly like that rabbi. And you would follow him everywhere.

As the disciples of Jesus Christ, I am wondering whether we have the same passion, hunger, commitment, understanding of Scripture and diligence as the Jewish teenagers pursuing to become like their rabbi/master. 

May we display the fervency and passion towards becoming like Christ.