Calling the DisciplesTEXT - Mark 1:16 - Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.Mark 2:13 – “He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”Mark 3:13 – “ And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.1. Education of Hebrew MenThe Mishna says, "Above all, we pride ourselves on the education of our children."1. (Age 6-10) Beth Sefer - “The House of the book.” they would memorize Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Honey on their slates2. (10-14) Beth Talmud “House of learning.” The best students from ages wouldmemorize Joshua to Malachi. Answering with questions – to go deeper3. (14-15) Beth Midrash – “House of study.” Midrash – Rabbinic studies – expoundingthe Law4. Calling the Talimim – Rabbinic disciples - age 15 – Come Follow Me5. (Age 18) the bride-chamber6. (20) pursuing a vocation,7. (30) for authority (sonship- placement)( Peter over 30, James/ John with Father – under 30) You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. John 13:13Jesus is called a rabbi - 16 times in the New Testament – non-disputed Teacher - 47 times2. Rabbi JesusTaught regularly in the synagogues1. Torah teachers - Most Rabbi’s were Torah teachers (teachers of the law) who could onlyteach accepted interpretations.2. Sages, Rabbi’s with s’mikhah (authority to ordain) (Hallel, Shamai, Gameliel)They could make new interpretations and pass legal judgments. The Rabbi’s Yoke - “You have heard it said, but I say”The Yoke of Rabbi Jesus - The sermon on the mountA. Two Kinds of Rabbi’sB. Jesus had authority - s’mikhahMatthew 7:28,29 - And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority (s’mikhah), and not as their scribes.Matthew 9:6-8 – “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority (s’mikhah) on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.”Who gave you s’mikhah?Matthew 21:23-27 –- Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"John 7:15 – “The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” Jesus received s’mikhah directly from His Father!3. Calling the Talmidim (disciples) Only Rabbi’s with S’mikhah called disciples.A. Choosing TalmidimThe Rabbi went to the Beth Midrash (14 & 15) for the best & brightest- “Rabbi, I want to become your disciple, your talmidim.He would ask questions (interview) If chosen He would say “Come follow me”. "Come, take my yoke upon you and become my disciple.”The Rabbi's teachings were called his yoke.If not he would say - “Go, home to your village. Make babies. Pray that they become rabbis. Go home and learn the family business - fishing, farming, carpentry. Because you won’t be studying to be a rabbi.”Choosing the Twelve – They were too old – the rejectsB. Following:The talmadim take the yoke to do what their Rabbi does – to learn to be like him.Yose ben Yoezer - Mishnah, Avot 1:4 -“Follow a rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered by the dust from his feet.”1) Traveled with his disciples to teach to be & do2) Taught through demonstration (methods)3) Required total commitment4) Taught them to walk in His s’mikjhah in every way!5) Taught their disciples to make disciplesWhen Jesus walked on the water – Peter expected to walk on the water: Jesus great commission (Matthew 28:18-20).4. Conclusion:Are you His disciple? Are you under the Yoke of Jesus-Seek question follow – don’t give up you are disciples – you haven’t healed yet keep praying,John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you,” He gave us His s’mikhah! Holy SpiritGet His dust on your body follow closely
