GodReflection: A Brand-New Life And Have Everything To Live For.
Before we meet the initial twelve selected by Jesus, let’s begin with an overview of life and the culture where his first apostles live. We want to get a sense of the demands these men will face. What will their lifestyle be like? Are there perimeters related to hours, length of service, travel demands?
We who live two thousand plus years since Jesus called these men have no way to comprehend fully the daily demands of life in their region of the Sea of Galilee. It is especially difficult to understand the reality of their rural seaport walk for those of us who live in our 21st century modern world of mobility and education.
Only a select few were chosen by a Rabbi (teacher) to be his students. It was not come to the classroom at certain hours to learn. Rather, it was a 24-hour per day commitment to be with their Rabbi for a lengthy period. The student agreed to be his disciple.
A disciple wants to be like the teacher, to become what the teacher is. So, they live in total devotion to their Rabbi. The disciple notes everything the teacher says or does. It is a deep personal relationship between them. The student wants to become exactly like the teacher.
We trace the preparation of the twelve through the Gospels. Their lessons with Jesus require night campouts and countryside walks during the day. At times they visit the Temple and the Synagogues with him. Through it all we hear their questions and even listen to Jesus as he exposes the unexpressed thoughts and guarded feelings within their heart.
For three years we watch their faith grow as they witness their teacher perform miracles. At times we hear them ask rhetorical questions like, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him” (Mark 4:41)! Finally, it dawns upon them who the one really is who has called them to his discipleship. The reality is undeniable. Peter, the fisherman declares what they others have come to believe, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Like us, Peter and his companions failed at times to live up to that confession. Their faith will grow and mature. On their bad days they forget Jesus is God and deny him by their failure to stand with him.
However, after his resurrection from the dark tomb of death, with the sad exception of Judas Iscariot, the other eleven graduate and become teachers like their Rabbi. Now with total trust in their master they have found true life indeed. They have found A Brand-New Life And Have Everything To Live For.
Next time we will meet Andrew the first of our apostles and find out what news he has found and must share, and who is the first person he tells of his discovery.
Stay tuned.
Gary J. Sorrells
A GodReflection: Life With Jesus’s First Apostles.
God Reflection 