In the first century, the synagogue and the Rabbi’s were central to Jewish culture.  I want to quote from an article by Tim Kelly entitled The Dust of the Rabbi regarding those Rabbi’s and their disciples:

According to Ray Vander Laan, Jewish children – both boys and girls – begin their formal study of the Bible at age 5 by attending a Beit Sefer (house of the Book)  that was associated with the local synagogue and taught by a ‘rabbi’ – which was the respectful way of addressing the teacher. 

The teaching focused on the Torah, emphasizing reading, writing, and memorization.  Large portions of the text were memorized, and some students memorized the entire Torah by the time he or she reached the conclusion of their primary education at age 12 or 13.

At this point, a male child was allowed to go to the Temple and participate in the sacrifice of his family’s Passover lamb.  Though he was now expected to learn the family trade, boys who showed exceptional study skills were also allowed to continue their biblical studies in what was called “Beit Midrash”, which roughly means ‘the house of searching’, as in searching for the meaning of the scriptures.

In the Beit Midrash they would continue to memorize scripture while studying the prophets and the writings.  This would continue until about age 18 which is the age when young men were encouraged to begin a family.

Though 18 was the age for marriage, some gifted students were allowed to postpone marriage and continue their studies under a rabbi.  Most students sought to learn under rabbis with an exceptional reputation and whom they believed had a good understanding of the scripture.  Once they found that particular rabbi, they would ask if they could ‘follow’ him.  If the rabbi believed the student would be successful in learning and understanding what would be taught, he agreed to let that student ‘follow’ him and the student would become his disciple.

What we need to understand is that disciples of these Rabbi’s sought out the teacher and, having been evaluated and accepted by the teacher, essentially began to live with him.  They were not just interested in what the Rabbi knew, but actually wanted to learn how he lived. They emulated his dress, his habits, his daily routines, his approach to scripture. the way he prayed, etc.  Typically, this discipleship lasted about twelve years.  If he began at age 18, then by 30 he himself could become a Rabbi.  If the Rabbi was located in a town, his disciples spent as much time with him as possible each day.  If he were an itinerant Rabbi travelling from place to place, they travelled with him. We see that pattern clearly with Jesus.

Here is what was different about Jesus.  He did not establish a school and wait for the best and brightest to come to him.  He actually went after those he wanted to follow him and called them to come.  Clearly, he did not pick the best and brightest scholars from the synagogues.  He picked men from Galilee which was reputed to be the most Torah-illiterate district in Israel.  These were men who had not pursued studies after their initial schooling but had gone on to be fisherman and tax collectors.  They did not follow Jesus for twelve years but only for three.  At many times, they did not seem like promising disciples and on many occasions were sources of great frustration for Jesus.  But that should be a point of great encouragement for us.

In John 15:16, Jesus told his followers, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” We do not have to approach Jesus with a resume, hoping he will accept us.  We do not have to be Bible scholars with well-developed theology. We simply have to be responsive to the call of Jesus and trust him to develop us as he sees fit. We don’t even have to believe in our own potential, because God believes in our potential.  These unlikely disciples of Rabbi Yeshua did not need twelve years of teaching from him because the Holy Spirit would be their teacher.  In many ways, they did not need to be experts in the Law and the prophets because Jesus said the Law and the Prophets were summed up by two things -love God and love your neighbor.  That is what we need to master

Satan loves to make us feel unqualified to be followers of Jesus.  But Jesus has qualified us and he has chosen us.  He sees great things in us that we do not perceive.  He has given us a teacher who will lives with us forever – His Holy Spirit.  Of course, he has given us the written word of God, but he continues to explain it to us by his Spirit.  Our part is to follow Jesus, our Rabbi, daily and to do the things he did which we see on the pages of the gospels.  Our part is to be teachable and obedient.  Our part is to spend time with him in prayer, contemplation, doing his will. and spending time with other believers. When we are 3with other believers he is in our midst (Mt. 18:20).  Our part is to have faith that Jesus has called us to be his disciple…that he wanted us, that he calls us his friend, that we are his workmanship, and we are not accidental or inferior followers. He has a destiny for each of us and will complete the work he has begun in us…if we continue to follow.

Being the disciple of a great Rabbi was a great privilege.  Being called to be a disciple of the greatest Rabbi is the greatest privilege.

In the first century, rabbis (teacher or master) held a significant place in the life of the Jewish people. A rabbi had studied at the feet of another Rabbi and was schooled in all the matters of the Law and the Prophets. He was both a teacher and a judge who ruled in many matters pertaining to the Law of Moses..typically in the community where he lived. All Jewish men went to school in their local synagogue and were often taught by a rabbi. After learning the basics of the Law, those who showed interest and acumen in spiritual matters could approach a rabbi and ask to become one of his disciples or students. After some consideration, he would accept them or reject them. Of course, there was greater standing in being schooled by more prominent rabbis who were known for their academic prowess and wisdom. These disciples would spend their days with the rabbi to not only study but to see how he lived. When a rabbi thought a student was ready, he could ordain him to also be a rabbi. Because the life of Israel revolved around the Law, rabbis were essential for life and faith.

Jesus was also called Rabbi. However, he differed from others rabbis in a few important ways. First of all, he had not been a disciple of another rabbi. On several occasions in the gospels, someone asked where and from whom Jesus had gained all his knowledge and wisdom about the scriptures. Of course, he had been schooled by the ultimate rabbi…the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his followers, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (Jn.`4:26). In addition to Jesus, we also have the Holy Spirit as our rabbi.

A second difference was his approach to disciples. Ordinarily, the students applied to the rabbi to enter his school. Jesus, on the other hand, sought out his disciples (especially the twelve) and asked them to “Follow me!” Later he reminded them, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last (Jn. 15:16). We too are called to follow. ““No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn.6:44). God seeks us out and extends the invitation to come and follow. Of course, we can say yes or no to the invitation.

I think they greatest lesson we learn from the rabbis is that disciples did not simply want to know everything the rabbi knew, but they wanted to know how he lived. They wanted to imitate his lifestyle as well as knowing the Torah. During his public ministry, the twelve apostles and a number of other disciples followed Jesus daily. The twelve went with him wherever and whenever he went. Again the idea was not just to hear him teach and take notes, but also to see how he lived, how he prayed, how he treated people who were poor and how he treated people who were rich. They wanted to experience him, not just know what he knew.

Too often, as believers we simply want more knowledge of the scriptures…which is a good thing…but incomplete. What we need to do is experience Jesus by living as he lived. That doesn’t necessarily mean we give up our jobs and wander from town to town teaching and healing, although that is a profound option. After all, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (Jn. 14:11-13).

I think what I need to keep learning from Jesus were his priorities that I see him live out in the gospels – extended alone time with the Father; making disciples of those the Father gave to him by sharing his life with them; sharing the good news of the kingdom of God as he met people along the way; always putting the Father’s agenda ahead of his own; being kind to broken people by extending heaven’s grace to them; confronting religion and pointing people to relationship; putting the needs of others ahead of his own; being more people-oriented than task-oriented; drawing close to a few while not forgetting the masses; dispensing the love of God through healing and deliverance; and always speaking the truth in love.

There is much more, but my point is that I love to talk about Jesus, but what I need is to live out Jesus. That is the role of a disciple who has been joined to a rabbi. Sometimes I can learn that by spending time with another disciple who has duplicated the life of Jesus much more than myself. Sometimes I need to spend more time at the feet of Rabbi Holy Spirit. I know for sure, I need to spend more alone time with the Father.
Where ever you are in your walk with Rabbi Jesus, I hope you will give more thought to learning how he lived as much as learning what he taught. I believe that is where we will find the “abundant life” we all want.

Blessings in Him today.