#JesusDisciplesAndAge

In Jewish culture a young man finishes school(basic education) at age 12.

At age 12 the young person has gone through Scripture study, and has been taught the Mishnah(Oral Torah, and interpretation of the law).

At 13 years old the Jewish boy is old enough to start fulfilling the commandments through a ritual called Bar Mitzvar.

Jewish girls also observe this rite at 12. Theirs is called Bat Mitzvar.

At 15 years the Jewish boy is to enter the Prestigious Rabbinical Training by following a Rabbi.

This training were for the brightest people.

It was the dream of every Jewish boy and the pride of the Parents for their son to be selected for Rabbinical studies(it was a white collar stuff).

What is my point?

At the time that Jesus called them, their age were 15 years and above.

Why were they in the family Fishing business instead of following a Rabbi?

The answer isn't far fetched, they were not selected.

Unlike Saul of Tarsus who was sent to the great Dr Gamaliel for Rabbinical studies.

Since Rabbinical training were for the really intelligent, among those who applied for, only the brightest were selected.

Note that Rabbinical training required folks with the ability to memorize large portions of the Law and the Prophets.

Those who weren't this brilliant were apprenticed to someone, went to learn a trade or entered the family business.

We should know that it wasn't because they were lazy.

These were very hard working Jewish boys who it seemed life had dealt a bad hand.

(See Luke 5).

''We have toiled all night...'' they were hard working, and skillful fishermen.

But...

At their lowest and worst moment, they had failed to enter the prestigious Rabbinical training, they were now failing as fishermen, they had known outright rejection, disappointment, failure, nothing else could go wrong for all had failed, then comes this new but unusual Rabbi that everyone in Town is talking about and He says ''follow me...''

you see, they were young, they had been rejected, the system had told them ''you aren't so bright, step aside'', they were failing in their trained profession, yet Jesus comes along and calls them to follow Him.

Jesus Christ saw and knew all that they were in weakness and at their worst, yet He called them.

Oh the shock, then the Joy, the privilege, what a honor, they left everything and followed Him.

The point is that, He called them, they left everything and everyone to follow Him.

Jesus still calls today, His offer still stands "follow me and I will make you".

Will you follow Him?

-Paul Bamikole