2014 Spring Series: Discipleship is more than a fad…it’s a battle cry! Part 2

So what made a disciple? The answer lies in three blocks. 

Community.

The life of the community was knit together where they encourage and held each other accountable.  The synagogue was the centerpiece of the community.  It was here that people worshiped and were educated in the practices of Judaism.   It was here that the community studied the Scriptures and came together to worship a living God!   J. Julius Scott writes, 

“In Jewish areas the synagogue was the property of the town. Providing a building, necessary equipment and supervision was the responsibility of the government.  In non-Jewish areas this responsibility fell to the Jewish community as a whole.”[i]   

Even though there was no designated officers to conduct the worship service in the synagogue to “read, preach, and pray”, it fell on the males of the community to lead these practices!  There was “the chief of the synagogue, who was in overall charge of its affairs, who was appointed by the elders of the community and served without pay.”[ii]   Community was about worshiping together in thanks for God’s provisions and coming to a place of awe in the God they served.  The community was a place for unity in faith and purpose.  While the temple (in Jerusalem) was controlled by the priests, the synagogue was basically a lay institution.[iii]  Today this community is revealed through the church as a whole.  Even though we may have separate denominations, the community of Christ must be unified in its description of Christ and purpose of sharing him with the world!  That can never change!  We as a body of believers must have an understanding that we are a community of believers who want to be in the presence of our Rabbi…Jesus.    

Scripture.

Scripture was of the most importance.  Scripture reading focused on the Pentateuch but included the Prophets as well.[iv]  Usually three to seven members of a congregation “were invited to take part of the reading” of the Scriptures.  The readings included interpretation and an application of the chosen passage.   It was through the regular, systematic reading and exposition of Scripture that the mind and heart of the intertestamental Jew became saturated with its contents and requirements.[v]  The Scriptures was the foundation for a community’s faith, education and form of discipleship. The word of Moses was a reminder to the community of God’s favor and importance to remember God’s word.

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.  It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.  See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.  -Deuteronomy 30:11-16 

Invitation. 

This leads to the third block.  How did you become a disciple?  Once the children were of age they went to school where the “curriculum was the Torah”.  There were three levels, with the first being students “who learned how to write, read and recite the Torah”.  By the time they graduated at twelve or thirteen and learned a profession they knew what was in the Scriptures.  Taking to heart the very words of Moses, they understood it and were able to explain it.  In between work students would have the opportunity to take it to the next level where they would spend time under the Rabbi to learn the deeper meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures.  For the few that showed great potential and understanding of the Scriptures, they were invited or asked, “Follow me.”.  This meant they were to become a “talmidim” (English translation, disciple).  The Hebrew definition of this word is someone who wants to be what the Rabbi is.  A disciple wanted to be like his master/mentor/rabbi.  The disciple walked with him wherever he went.  He laughed with him.  He ate with him.  A disciple meant sacrificing time with family and friends to be in the presence of the “rabbi”, 24/7.  Wherever the “rabbi” went you wanted to be there to learn, listen and eventually to do.  The relationship was student –teacher.  After “training”, would come the test of… “sending out” (Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-17).

A disciple was chosen…invited to be with his Rabbi.  How great it is to know that today we can enter into this relationship with Christ and become a disciple not wondering if we will be asked or chosen.  When we come to the understanding of his salvation, we have already been chosen!  Christ words “Follow Me.”, becomes an invitation for us all to either accept or deny his teaching in becoming like him! 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  (John 15:5-8)

Will you be a believer that walks in the footsteps of our Rabbi, Jesus, who goes and makes disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit?  Or will we be one who sits idly professing your faith to the four walls of your building?  Rise and accept the challenge that Christ calls to everyone…”FOLLOW ME!”

His call.   His gift to you.  Your purpose.  Irrevocable.

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[i] Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament.  pg 143; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.

[ii] Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament.  pg 143; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.

[iii] Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament.  pg 142; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.

[iv] Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament.  pg 142; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.

[v] Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament.  pg 142; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.