Jewish children were highly educated in comparison to the rest of the ancient world.  They started with Bet Safar (Elementary School) from five to ten years of age.  They then moved to Bet Mishnah (Jr. High School) from ten to fourteen years of age. From fourteen to eighteen the very best and the very brightest would go on to be apprenticed to a Rabbi in what was called Bet Talmud (High School/College.)
At fourteen young men and women had finished their 9 years of formal education in the Jewish system.  So, young men would begin using whatever trade they had been taught and young women would often get married and begin a family (I’ve encouraged my daughters to wait a little longer!) But the very best and the very, very brightest would solicit, even beg to be selected as an apprentice to a Rabbi.  If chosen by a Rabbi they became a Talmede and continued their education.  The vast majority were rejected and went to work.   Very, very few were chosen or continued on in Bet Talmud to become a Rabbi.  
Potential Talmedes chose Rabbi’s they respected.  Rabbis whom they felt knew God well and had a deep commitment to follow Him.  The people of Israel were looking for the arrival of their Messiah and they looked to their Rabbis, “Maybe one of them could grow into being the Messiah.  Rabbis were viewed then as famous athletes, musicians, actors and celebrities are today.  When these young men chose a Rabbi they inwardly felt they might be choosing a leader who could deliver their nation from the oppression of the Romans and set up the eternal kingdom of God!  They were in awe of their chosen Rabbi.  They wanted to be selected like an American athlete wants to win a gold medal in the Olympics.
When Rabbi Jesus started his public ministry He chose His own disciples! He did not chose the best and the brightest.  He did not chose the wealthiest or the most socially connected.  He did not chose those with the most resources or the nicest homes.  He did not chose those who were at the top of their Bet Mishnah class.  He chose ordinary people.  People who had not been selected as Talmedes.  Fishermen, tax-collectors, zealots and one who’s career will always be remembered as, “betrayer.”  Ordinary people apprenticed to an extraordinary Rabbi.
Jesus said to them, “Come, be like me.”  By selecting them he was encouraging them, “I think YOU could be like ME!”  Those were remarkable statements in an Israeli culture where only the best and brightest were chosen.  Jesus said, “I chose you to be a Talmede of the Messiah!”  At least some of these had been told by a Rabbi, “Really you should go ahead and be a fisherman, being a Rabbi is too intellectually strenuous for you.”  And then, Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.  I know who I am and I know who you are and I think YOU can be like ME!”
God uses everyone.  Everyone is called.  Everyone has an equal opportunity to be known and to know Rabbi Jesus.  Think of the fire in the hearts of the disciples when they were called, “He BELIEVES in ME!!!”
So it’s our turn.  Are you thankful to be called by Rabbi Jesus?  Does it create a fire in your heart that motivates you to know Him in a deeper and more personal way?  Will you commit to apply His teaching?  Will you follow the leading of His Spirit?  Will you obey Him when you hear His voice? Gateway Church provides opportunities for you to listen, learn, respond and apply His word to your life, join us in being Talmede’s of Rabbi Jesus.