FIRST
DISCIPLES of JESUS
Jesus'
first two disciples were originally disciples of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist directed Andrew and his brother, Simon who became
Peter, to Jesus. Andrew believed John the Baptist when he pointed to
Jesus and said He was the Lamb of God. Andrew then led his brother
Peter to Christ. It is interesting to note that Andrew pretty much
stepped aside and let his brother Peter be the leader of the twelve
chosen disciples of Jesus and the early Church.
What
is a disciple?
Disciple
is the Hebrew word talmidim.
It
means student.
Rabbis
were commissioned to make disciples. They would choose young men to
be taught by them not just through their teaching of the Word of God
but also by their life-example in living out the Word of God. Being
a rabbi was an honorable and esteemed position. As they traveled
from village to village, people would open their homes and hearts to
them. It was also an honor to have a rabbi stay at your home.
Many
young Jewish boys were hopeful that one day they would be chosen to
be a disciple of their favorite rabbi. This would be a great honor.
These disciples would leave their family, home and community to
follow this master rabbi. The family and community would rally
around this young disciple and encourage him. The young man would
choose the rabbi they wanted to be schooled by. To be a disciple of
a master rabbi would be an honor and a privilege. Young Jewish boys
would spend hours memorizing books of the Older Testament. Then they
would approach their favorite rabbi praying that they would see how
hard they had worked and their commitment to memorizing scripture,
and choose them to be their disciple. The young man would then have
many years of studying under the rabbi before he could be one.
Jesus,
the Supreme Rabbi (Teacher)
who
is God,
did
just the opposite. He chose His first disciples without even knowing
them or knowing whether they had any wisdom or knowledge of God, His
Word or His ways.
Jesus'
disciples in no way merited their chosenness, just as Israel and the
Older Testament prophets, priests and kings didn't merit their
chosenness, nor does Christ's Body. Jesus chose His disciples
without regard for their status or biblical knowledge. They didn't
earn His approval. Jesus said to His disciples in John
15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to
go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” There
was a purpose for His disciples being chosen by Him. They were to
bear fruit. Not only are they to bear fruit, Jesus goes on to say
that they will be persecuted and hated for His sake. Billy Graham
once said, “salvation
is free but discipleship costs you everything you have.” The
difference between the Jewish rabbis of the day and Jesus is that
Jesus is not only a teacher of the truth, He is the Truth. And, no
one that Jesus chose could prove their worthiness. Jesus merely
said, “Follow
Me.” To
follow Jesus meant that they must leave everything. Jesus chose His
disciples but they had a choice to make – whether to go with Him or
not.
Jesus
was not under the authority of a master rabbi. As a matter of fact,
Jesus publicly debated the master rabbis of His day. Jesus made it
clear that He was under the authority of God, and He taught under His
own authority given Him by God. (see Matthew 7:28-29) Jesus is greater than all of the
other rabbis. He not only knew God, He is God personified. The things
that set Jesus apart are:
1. His
love and acceptance of sinners whether Jew or Gentile
2. His
Divine authority
3. His
miracles
4. His
message
5. His
Divine interpretation of the scriptures
Master
Rabbis (Teachers of the Word)
Before
disciples could be made in the days of the first century, there was
first a need for master teachers. These master teachers would have
disciples they would raise up to be disciples and hopefully master
teachers as well. Hillel and Shammai were master rabbis in biblical times, and they had many opposing views. If a master rabbi was prestigious enough, he had smikah -- great authority -- and could give a new interpretation to a scripture. Rabbis would quote from these master rabbis to establish authority to their message. Jesus who is even greater than any master rabbi also gave new interpretations of scripture and even added to the Older Testament understanding of scripture. Jesus could do this because He is God!
A rabbi would be a mentor to his
students. The students would sit in a circle around their rabbi and learn from him. Often, the rabbi and his students would
be out in the open in a field, in a vineyard, someone's home or in
the portico of the temple. The scriptures and their life application
would be passed down to the disciples by their master teacher. The
disciple would walk with God by living out the teachings of God and
his rabbi in his life.
A
Jewish sage called a rabbi was known to be able to answer any
questions on any area of the Older Testament scriptures. These
master teachers were not always accurate in their understanding of
scripture because they are human who only see dimly. Mankind, no
matter how much truth they know, will always have flawed truth. We
are the finite trying to understand the truth and ways of the
infinite mind of God.
Jesus
– the Supreme Rabbi (Teacher)
The
Eternal Word of God who is all Truth came to earth to make disciples
and teach them the Truth. Jesus could teach pure Truth because He is
Truth. Jesus came to the earth not only to save but to also teach
pure Truth and correct the distortions of God and His Word that had
infiltrated Truth. He is high above even the master rabbis of biblical times.
Jesus
taught His disciples in the same manner the rabbis of His day did.
He wanted His disciples to live out the teachings of their Master
(Lord). When Jesus said, “Come,
follow Me,” it
would require sacrifice, full commitment, hard work and risk. Jesus
and His Kingdom must be put first in their lives. (see
Luke 14:25) When
told that His mother and brothers were outside, Jesus responded, “Who
are My mother and My brothers?” Then He looked at those seated in
a circle around Him and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!
Whoever does God's will is My brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus,
the Supreme Rabbi (Teacher),
was talking to His disciples who were seated in a circle around Him.
They were learning from Jesus and then applying what He taught to
their lives. Jesus was born to an earthly mother and had earthly
brothers, but His true and everlasting family was His spiritual
family who did the Father's will.
Jesus
like the rabbis of old also taught in vineyards, fields, on
mountains, in synagogues and in the portico outside the Temple.
Wherever Jesus walked, He taught the ways and will of His Heavenly
Father. He might have been in a vineyard when He said, “I
am the Vine; you are the branches.” John 15:5 Jesus
could have been near the sea of Galilee where the fishermen were
emptying and cleansing their nets when He spoke the parable of the
Net. (see
Matthew 13:47-50) Perhaps
a farmer was sowing seed in a field when He told the parable of the
Sower. Jesus may have been in a wheat field when He taught about the
wheat and the weeds. (Matthew
13:24-30) His
disciples would have a visible image in the natural of the
supernatural truth Jesus was teaching them.
Jesus'
disciples were to:
1. “Come,
follow Him.” Mt.
4:19
2. Conduct
themselves as one who “hears
these words of Mine and does them.” Mt. 7:24
3. Learn by observation and follow the example of their Master Jesus. Mt.
16:24-28
4. Learn by working and walking alongside of Jesus as an apprentice, hearing
and obeying. Mt.
10:1-4; Mt. 3:13-19
5. Be
on assignment and report back to Jesus what they had done. Mt.
10:5-25; Lk. 10:1-20
Disciples
are accountable to their Master Rabbi as well as God's chosen leaders of
His Body. Jesus evaluated the work of His disciples and encouraged
them to achieve a more meaningful spiritual life by seeking first
the kingdom of heaven. Mt.
6:33 Jesus
loved His disciples and was patient with them as He taught them His
ways. When they erred, He called the evil one to account recognizing
who had tricked them. Satan wants to undo God's work and turn people
away from God. Jesus wants to draw us closer to Him and take us
higher. He wants those He has taught to raise up others who will
also be “fishers
of men.” Mt. 4:19
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