Have you ever read about Jesus calling his disciples and thought, "Wait, what? They just left everything behind? Just like that?" If so, you're not alone. As someone who's spent most of my life in the Western world, I've often wondered about how quickly Peter, Andrew, James, and John dropped their fishing nets to follow Jesus.
Think about it. These guys had jobs, families, and responsibilities. Imagine if someone walked into your office today and said, "Hey, quit your job and follow me indefinitely." You'd probably think they were crazy, right? Or at least ask for a detailed plan, benefits package, and some references.
But here's the thing: what seems incomprehensible to us made perfect sense in Jesus' time. And understanding why can transform how we view Jesus' call to "Come, follow me."
This past Sunday, I had one of those lightbulb moments during the sermon at Northpoint Church. Our lead pastor, Buck Giebelhaus, broke down the cultural context of Jesus' famous words, and suddenly, everything clicked.
So, let's hop in our time machine and take a quick trip to the first-century Jewish world where Jesus lived and taught. Buckle up!
In Jesus' day, Jewish education was a big deal. It was structured, rigorous, and deeply respected. Let's break it down:
Bet Sefer (House of the Book): From ages 5-10, children would learn to read and write, focusing on memorizing the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Imagine 5-year-olds reciting entire chapters of Genesis from memory!
Bet Midrash (House of Learning): From ages 10-14, students would study and memorize the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures. They'd also learn to ask questions and debate interpretations. Think of it as ancient Jewish debate club.
Bet Talmud (House of Interpretation): The best students, typically from age 14-30, would seek to become disciples of a renowned rabbi. This was the Jewish equivalent of getting into Harvard - only the cream of the crop made it this far.
Now, here's the crucial part: when a rabbi believed a student had what it took to become like him, he'd say those transformative words: "Come, follow me." In Aramaic, it's "Lech acharai," and it wasn't just a casual invitation. It was a formal call to leave everything behind and dedicate your life to learning from this rabbi.
Getting this call was like winning the spiritual lottery. Most young men who wanted to continue their religious education were turned away and told to learn the family business instead. Only the best of the best received the "follow me" invitation.
This is where Jesus completely changes the game:
He calls people who didn't make the cut in the rabbinic system. Fishermen? Tax collectors? These weren't exactly the valedictorians of Torah school.
He initiates the call. Usually, students would apply to follow a rabbi, not the other way around.
His call isn't just about learning facts; it's about joining his world-changing mission.
When Jesus said, "Come, follow me," he was using language that carried massive weight in his culture. It was like getting a full-ride scholarship to the most prestigious university, a job offer from the most innovative company, and an invitation to join a world-changing movement all rolled into one.
Suddenly, the disciples' decision doesn't seem so crazy, does it? They recognized this as the opportunity of a lifetime. In their minds, following Jesus wasn't irresponsible – it was the most responsible thing they could do.
But here's the big question: What does this mean for us today?
Well, for starters, it gives us a new perspective on what it means to follow Jesus. It's not just about believing certain things or showing up to church on Sundays. It's about apprenticing ourselves to Jesus, learning to live as he lived, love as he loved, and carry on his mission in the world.
It also challenges us to consider what we're willing to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely. No, this doesn't mean we all need to quit our jobs and become wandering preachers. But it does mean asking ourselves: What habits, attitudes, or pursuits might be holding us back from fully embracing Jesus' call?
Lastly, it reminds us of the incredible honor it is to be called by Jesus. We didn't earn this call – just like those fishermen by the Sea of Galilee didn't earn theirs. Jesus looks at us, sees potential we might not even see in ourselves, and says, "Come, follow me."
If you're curious to explore these powerful "follow me" moments in the Bible, here are some key passages to dive into:
- Luke 5:1-11: Jesus calls Simon Peter, James, and John, including the miraculous catch of fish.
- Matthew 9:9-13: Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, demonstrating his willingness to call those society rejected.
- John 1:43-51: Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael, showcasing a different approach to his initial "follow me" invitations.
- Mark 3:13-19: A general account of Jesus calling the Twelve, providing context for his selection process.
- Mark 10:17-22: The story of the rich young ruler, an example of someone who struggled with Jesus' call to follow.
Take some time to read these passages. You might be surprised by the variety of ways Jesus called people and the different responses He received!
So, the next time you read about the disciples dropping everything to follow Jesus, remember: they weren't being irresponsible or impulsive. They were saying "yes" to the greatest adventure of their lives. And guess what? That same adventure is available to us today.
Are you ready to follow?