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Here are the sermon notes from this week!
*- At around 14 or 15 years old, young men completed their schooling and were assessed by Rabbis who visited their schools. These Rabbis selected the most exceptional students to become their disciples, using the invitation, “Follow me,” the same phrase Jesus used. (This selection was equivalent to medical or law school acceptance). The Rabbi assessed whether the young man had the potential to convey his teachings or "yoke." If selected, the disciple would leave everything behind—his hometown and familiar life—to follow the Rabbi closely, dedicating his life to emulate his mentor in every aspect, from teaching to mannerisms.
They were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on in front of them; and they were bewildered and perplexed and greatly astonished, and those [who were still] following were seized with alarm and were afraid. And He took the Twelve [apostles] again and began to tell them what was about to happen to Him,
Mark 10:32 AMPC
*- When a young man set out to follow a Rabbi, people would say, “May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi.” This meant disciples walked so closely that the dust from the Rabbi’s feet covered them. Onlookers saw the dust as honorable. Likewise, disciples of Christ should aspire to walk so closely behind Him that they are covered with His dust.
*- If a Rabbi called you to follow him, you would adopt his set of rules and teachings (to faithfully obey each ritual, no matter how strenuous). The hope was that you would someday perpetuate their ideas to future generations. A Rabbi’s set of teachings in that day was called their “yoke.” This is what Jesus was talking about when he said,
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC
*- The Rabbis of Jesus’ day put a heavy yoke loaded with burdens (of rituals and commands) on men and did not help to lift them (through teaching and sharing useful wisdom). Essentially, Jesus told those with heavy rabbinical, non-scriptural burdens that the burdens were unnecessary.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22 KJV
*- If the Rabbi rejected a young man, he would instruct him to go home, have children, learn your family’s business, and pray that one day you may become a Rabbi.
*- Since Jesus saw the teenagers working in their family's trade, it seems that other Rabbis had rejected them as students.
*- If we’ve ever felt rejected, please know that God protected us from something hard and harsh — saving us to follow Jesus as disciples (people who want to learn).
Lifework Assignment:
Ask Jesus to teach you daily, as a student, what He wants you to do for Him.
