"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 
Matthew 4:19 

 

Living amidst Judaism of conflicting ideas, Jesus ministered as a Jewish rabbi.  He frequently visited Galilean synagogues, using their traditions as a platform for his ministry.

 

Jesus also had disciples, called talmidim.   But these disciples were not the quiet, middle-aged men that we often imagine today.  These young people modeled a radical view of discipleship that was common in Jesus' day. 

 

Of all the times and places he could have come, God chose first-century Galilee, with its unique view of religious life and discipleship.  Looking back to the culture of Jesus' day, Christians can find an exciting, and yes even challenging, picture of how to follow our Rabbi today.  

 

We must always remember that Jesus came to do more than die for our sins.  He came to teach us HIS ways and the ways of HIS father.  He is to be our Rabbi – our teacher.