John’s Gospel was written in another time, another place—the ancient Middle East. Consequently, we often miss what’s obvious to the original audience. Jesus’ ‘apprenticeship analogy’ is a case in point. Apprenticeship enabled sons to learn their father’s trade; Jesus and Joseph, his (putative) father, were carpenters. Now Jesus applies this metaphor to his ongoing relationship to God, his Father. It’s a unique window into the intimate Father-Son relationship of showing/seeing, loving/submitting, hearing/ speaking, doing/imitating. Jesus calls his disciples into apprenticeship to him. This isn’t the ‘Great Commission’ of discipleship; it’s the “Great Invitation’ into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s all become apprentices to the risen Jesus!