In ancient Jewish culture, the study of the Old Testament began at age 6.  By the time a boy was ten, he was expected to have memorized the first 5 books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  Those that couldn’t/wouldn’t ended their schooling at age 10 and started learning their father’s trade — carpentry, sheep herding, pottery, etc.

Those who showed ability at learning the Scriptures continued with their studies and memorized the rest of the Old Testament.  All of the history, poetry and prophetic writings.  By age 14 another milestone was reached and some students were sent home to learn their father’s trade and the elite  were allowed to continue studying.  The rabbis would come to those best students and invite them to be their disciples.  They typically said, “Come, follow me” and the teen boys would jump at the chance to join their group of students.

This level of education was vastly different than our higher education.  The students literally followed the rabbi wherever he went, listened to all he said, served him however they could, and sought to be like him.  After a day of following him, they would be covered with the dust of his feet.  It was all part of the process of becoming like their teacher.

None of the people Jesus called to be His disciples had “made the cut”.  They were all in other professions because they weren’t good enough for other rabbis.  But Jesus saw something in those He called; He believed they could be like Him.  So people left their nets, left their accounting desks, left their flocks and followed Him.  And in the process, become more and more like Him.

Our journey in 2010 is to “Follow the Rabbi”.  To follow in His footsteps, to get covered with His dust, to hear what He says, to see what He does, so that we might become like Him.  Our preaching, our small groups, our activities for this year are all designed to help us follow Rabbi.

By Pastor Bob Luhn