Jesus was a rabbi.
If you are reading this, take a moment and let that statement soak in.
Rabbis were teachers.
Rabbis were the elite.
Rabbis had followers
Rabbis job was to train those followers to be like their Rabbis.
Jesus was a rabbi.
Only the smartest Jewish adolescent was able to follow a rabbi. The brightest would approach a rabbi, asking if he may follow. And the rabbi tested him. Questioned him. Then the rabbi would either say "follow me" or "go with God."
Jesus was a rabbi.
A rabbi taught his followers not primarily with his words, but with the way he acted in every situation. Whatever the rabbi did, so did the follower. What the rabbi ate, so ate the follower. What the rabbi wore, so wore the follower. How the rabbi treated to poor, the rich, the powerful, and the weak, so did the follower.
Jesus was a rabbi.
but not just any rabbi.
Jesus did not wait for the best to approach him. Jesus sought out his followers. Jesus tested not the candidates. He chose the lowliest without precondition.
Jesus followers followed him, imitated him, acted him out as any follower should do. When Jesus healed the sick, his followers healed also. When Jesus ate with the rebel, so also his followers ate.
When Jesus walked on water, so also Peter, the most determined follower, stepped out on the water.
Jesus followers were trained and empowered to be Christians, "little Christs," people who acted, thought, talked, and walked with the teaching and power of Jesus.
Jesus was a rabbi
A rabbi was to be followed.
Jesus was followed by multitudes.
Jesus died on a cross
Jesus death was sacrificial.
Jesus did not fight at his death, but remained silent, as a sheep heading for slaughter.
Jesus carried his cross.
Will you carry yours?
"and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
Matthew 10:38
1 comment:
electric chair
Noose
The cross, to the first century culture, was in its mildest terms a symbol of death, humiliation, unbearable and long-lasting pain. it was a crystal clear image of what you wanted to avoid. And modern equivalents are rare.
It amazes me, that a symbol of death such as this has been transformed into a symbol of life, hope, and peace. Now, in the 21st century the cross is hung around people's necks and mounted on tables and walls. One of the most remarkable events in history occurred in Jesus' death and resurrection: Death turned into life.
What was once considered death, is now life.
So, the question really to me is: Will I drink of the everlasting water.
Post a Comment