who chose whom

Our first day of touring Israel set the stage for viewing Jesus' ministry and what it means to be in His Kingdom. Our leader, a Jewish Christian, took us to Bethsaida, Korazim, and Capernaum. These places are on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and form the basis of Jesus' start as He was driven out of Nazareth (southwest of the Sea).

Here's a little background. In the first century AD all Jewish children (boys and girls) were educated until about age 12. At this point the girls prepared to become wives later and the boys took on the trade of their father.

Most boys aspired to become a Rabbi, but it was a long and uncertain journey. Those who had the chance would start hanging with a local Rabbi. The Rabbi would basically ignore the boys interested. The boys must persevere and show a strong interest to be asked to move on. Over many years a boy may become noticed by a Rabbi. Eventually if they impressed enough people and demonstrated they were smart and good enough to be a Rabbi, they could be tapped to train more directly with a Rabbi.

The boys at this point shaped their entire life to be exactly like the Rabbi, who had the power to make them successful. In short, almost every Jewish boy wanted to be a Rabbi, but almost all simply followed the route of their father, ultimately taking on his trade profession.

It was into this culture that Jesus went to common towns, way off the main stream of the Jewish elite  and chose His disciples. "They immediately left their nets and followed Him."

Can you imagine? In their minds this can't happen. They had not been able to achieve this through the processes available to them as Jewish boys. A Rabbi chose them, they did not choose Him. They never convinced anyone of anything. Their excitement and abandonment of their status quo was so AMAZING.

The Kingdom is like this. When we realize God has come to us, in the midst of our status quo and called us unto Himself. What is our response?

Are we obsessed to become just like the Rabbi that has called us?

Probably worth pondering .....

Oh, and one more thing. These 3 towns that were in God's plan to start Jesus' ministry are now in ruins and have been for a long time. They were never restored. They certainly didn't flourish as humans might think they should since God used them in such important ways.

Maybe that is the way the Kingdom works too. I don't know what to do with this, but Jesus cursed the very towns He went to at the perfect time in His life on earth. "Woe to you Bethsaida, woe to you Korazim."

God's ways are not our ways!