Are you a true Disciple?

Being a disciple in ancient Israel was a very different experience from being a Christian today. A disciple was someone who followed a rabbi, a teacher of the Torah, and learned from him everything he could. A disciple would leave his family, his home, his occupation, and his possessions to follow his rabbi wherever he went. He would imitate his rabbi's actions, words, and lifestyle. He would memorize his rabbi's teachings and pass them on to others. He would serve his rabbi with loyalty and devotion.

A disciple's goal was to become like his rabbi in every way. He wanted to have the same authority and understanding of the Torah as his rabbi. He wanted to have the same relationship with God as his rabbi. He wanted to have the same impact on the world as his rabbi.

Being a Christian today is very different from being a disciple in ancient Israel. A Christian is basically anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. A Christian does not have to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. A Christian can live in any place, have any occupation, and own any possessions. A Christian does not have to imitate Jesus in every detail of his life. A Christian does not have to memorize Jesus' teachings and pass them on to others. A Christian does not have to serve Jesus with loyalty and devotion in the way the original disciples (Talmidim) did. But why is it this way? WHat did Yeshua mean when he said,

19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.” Mattityahu 28:19-20

The nature of language is to change over time. But two-thousand years later we are confronted with the idea that the meaning of disciple may have changed beyond recognition to anyone in Yeshua's generation. Since the definitions have changed, then our ideas have likely changed. When our ideas have changed and the Lord has not, then we have moved away from what he actually said. We have deviated. It's time to get back to what he actually said.

Ultimately, the real question is, what does it look like today to be a true Talmid according to what Yeshua actually taught? What is the value of your believing if you don't actually follow as a true disciple? Finally, are you a true Talmid, by their definition, not yours?

If you're interested in learning more about seeing scripture through the eyes of a Talmid, click this link to order your copy of I the Lord your God, The Talmid's Primer.

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