In Mark 3:13-19 we have a summary
account of Jesus calling the 12 disciples.
In verse 13 it says, “They (the 12) came to him.” This brings out the importance and priority of
Jesus Christ. He is no mere rabbi, or
even an excellent rabbi. In Jesus' day students chose
Jewish rabbis they thought to be the best teacher of God and Torah. The rabbi’s goal was always to teach his
students God and Torah.
But it is different with Jesus. Jesus
is the exclusive focus of the call to discipleship. He is the subject and end of the call. Not even the Torah is more important than
him. Rabbis were the means for the
disciple to better understand Torah and God.
Well, Jesus is not the means, but the ultimate good – the fulfilment of
God and Torah. You cannot surpass Jesus
Christ. As a disciple of Christ we will
never be greater than our Master. It is
conceivable, and it often happens that a student surpasses his teacher; but
this will not happen in Christian discipleship.
So in Christian discipleship the
question is not, “What can I be on my own?” but “What can Jesus make of me, his
disciple?”
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