Leaders Library – Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus
Welcome to the first installment of Leaders Library. The leadership of The Exchange Church will be reading a book together over the course of two months. These articles will serve as a place where they will discuss the books being read. Feel free to read along and ask questions. The first book we are reading in August and September will be Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus : How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith. by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.
Disciple. It’s not a word we hear on the news, sitcoms, movies, or in casual conversation. In some ways it carries a negative connotation in our culture. It could be right up there with fanatic or radical. Yet anyone who has devoted their lives to following and replicating the teachings and ways of someone or something else is a disciple. The one or the thing that they follow is their master, which is also a word that carries some baggage today. But in the time of Jesus this relationship was very normal, even respected. Jesus had disciples pre and post resurrection. Jesus was called Rabbi or Teacher or Master by His disciples. In fact, Jesus commanded His disciples to go an make more disciples. What did He mean? What would they have understood Him to mean? What is a Rabbi? Is a disciple something more than a convert?
These are the questions this book really gets after. The subtitle of the book really gets at the heart of this matter when it talks about the Jewishness of Jesus. Speaking for myself, I thought I had a decent grasp on the Jewishness of Jesus. Boy was I wrong! There is so much more to what it meant to be a Rabbi and what it meant to be a disciple than I realized, both culturally and practically. This book does an amazing job of helping the reading to walk the roads of Judea and Galilee as a disciple, being covered by the dust kicked up by the Master whom they are following. I strongly recommend it.
This book is available through most major sources, as well as a Kindle and iBookstore download. Get it, read it, live it, because it points you to Jesus.
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12 Comments
by Jordan
On August 18, 2010
The illustration of Mary placing the perfume on Jesus is a powerful one already. But the deeper insinuation that the fragrance was also announcing a King is even further astonishing. What thoughts were going through the Roman guards’ minds as they walked Jesus to the cross! It never ceases to amaze me how God never misses any detail! Jesus even smelled like a King…
by Corby
On August 19, 2010
Jordan, excellent observation! Here is this “man” they have just beaten the snot out of, sweaty, bloody, yet the underlying but potent fragrance of that oil would have still poured off of Him. And then as He was on the cross and the wind blowing across His body picking up the scent and blowing it over the land. Way cool!
by Bryan
On August 20, 2010
In the dust of Jesus…
One would assume that you fist have to be close enough to a person to get the dust stirred by their walking upon you. Because if you are not close enough to the lead person, you would simple have the dust from everyone else also.
So consider how close you would have to be and the effort put forth to edge out everyone else in the traveling party to have that prized position at point right behind Jesus. You would also have to fight to keep it as you traveled along.
Closeness to Jesus
Do I have that same closeness (intimacy) with my Lord today? Christ refers to us as His Bride in scripture, you cannot get much more intimate then that.
Fighting for Point Position
Am I doing everything I can to fight for that point position as I strive for that intimacy with Jesus on a daily basis? It is critical that I have the mind set to fight for this prized position. If I don’t I may loose my positioning. I may not loose it to someone else, but I can surely loose it to things. Like distractions such as phone calls or other things during devos. Distractions during time of prayer. Oh how the enemy loves to take us out of that position so we cannot clearly hear our Lord and Savior.
Prayer
Lord continue to show me how to be in your dust and be diligent to battle for that prized position, so as to only collect the dust from Your Son.
by Corby
On August 21, 2010
Heads up; Jeff’s comment on chapters 1 & 2 turned into a full on post. You can here it at this link – http://www.exchangechurch.com/2010/08/20/would-we-recognize-him/
by Rebecca
On August 24, 2010
Wow! I have always loved the picture of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, hanging on His every word. In this scripture Jesus commends Mary for choosing the good part (to be occupied with Him and learning at His feet) that will not be taken from her. This book brought out the fact that Mary was probably sitting at Jesus’ feet as a disciple. I never really thought of it that way before. I just thought that she loved to hear her master teach. I myself love to do this. I love to sit at His feet and learn from His word and take in what it is He is saying to me. However, there is more. If Mary was a disciple what would that have meant for her? What is a disciple? Someone who hangs on every word of their teacher with the intent to carry out what it is that they are learning. A true disciple is one who lives exactly like their master. A disciple is not one who takes his/her calling lightly. A disciple is one who has set it upon their hearts to fully obey! Do we do this? Do we sit at His feet and hang on His every word? After we are taught by Him, do we remain sitting, all alone? Jesus lived out His every word and touched the lives of others! This is the call of a disciple: to first learn at their Heavenly Masters feet then go out and imitate Him!
This book also pointed out that it was Jewish tradition to anoint their kings with expensive oil. The kings would be dressed in royal dress and also smell like a king. When Mary broke the flask of expensive oil (a years worth of wages I might add. What would that mean in today’s average wages? $40-60,000 or more? Now that is an expensive bottle of oil ) and covered His feet and also poured it on His head, Jesus said Himself this was for His burial but as pointed out in this book the use of the expensive oil gave a hint at the anointing of a King. Did Mary know in her heart as she poured out the oil that she was also anointing her Messiah as King before His death as she knew He deserved? I wonder. When Christ rode into Jerusalem in His triumphal entry, the only time He allowed to be hailed as King, He was not dressed in royal garb nor did He set Himself on chariots or prized horses.This showed us His humility but His scent was that of Royalty, a King! Is that not just like Him? Our humble King! His dress wasn’t extravagant but the pleasing aroma which exuded from Him could not be denied by those around Him I’m sure. His beauty was not found in what the eyes can behold but rather what is given from Him. His life was a life of sacrifice, a sweet smelling aroma, a life well pleasing to the Father. At the end of His earthly life He was actually adorned with the beautiful scent of fine oil, a scent, spiritually speaking, that marked His whole life. Oh, our beautiful KING!
by Corby
On August 24, 2010
Loving it!
by Nick Perry
On September 13, 2010
I’m going to slam 6 chapters worth of “nugget-ology” into ONE post so YESAAHHH!!!!!
ch.1 = Joining mary at the feet of rabbi Jesus:
I thought it was awesome how Mary in a way anointed Jesus not only for His death, but in a way that Kings of old were anointed in the OT. And when a King passed by, the strong perfume would let everyone know it was him. Am I doing everything in my power to let the perfume of Christ permeate all parts of my life and the lives of others? How do I smell to others? Are they repulsed by my hyprocrisy or drawn towards me because I’m real and REALLY in love with Jesus? Do I know who I am in Christ and know that I am know a child of royalty and of a Mighty King? This should grant me peace and confidence in my position and heritage in Christ.
Ch. 2 = Why a Jewish Rabbi?
I think it was awesome back then that knowing the Torah and studying it at the synagogue was the center of Jewish Life and culture. Today it is sad and unacceptable what has become the center of our secular and amazingly, Christian culture. Also the fact that Rabbis were looked up too and today we look up to movie stars and talk show hosts who are anti-God. What should be the center of our Christian lives AND what is actually the center? Where is our treasure at folks? Let’s have faith that is alive, not dead.
Ch. 3 – stringing pearls:
I think the art of stringing pearls (bringing together different passages from different places to explore the truths of the word) needs to be rekindled today church! It is amazing how lazy we (the church) can be at knowing the word of God as a whole (OT and NT). I love reading a passage and having a plethora of passages come to mind that relate! It’s exciting! ALL scripture is inspired by God….and it also says “hold tightly to the word so that when He returns we will know that we have not wasted our lives on things that don’t matter” (Philippians 2:16)
Ch. 4 – following the Rabbi
Crazy that we went over “mentoring” in mens discipleship today. Weird. Thought about “who are we letting disciple us? I think we are super influenced by our surroundings (people, places, music, books) and need caution when deciding what we take into ourselves. Also asked myself how much time am I spending with my disciples? Apprentices would follow their master wherever they went to learn life, not just doctrine. Do life with your disciples. And if you don’t have any, ask God to send them your way or/and prepare yourself for when they do come!
Ch. 5 – get yourself some haverim
A haverim was a study partner in Jewish schooling. Thoughts: “Do we have people we can have (in love) verbal/intellectual jousting sessions with to sharpen our theology and mind?” As iron sharpens iron so another man sharpens another and with many counselors there is victory (proverbs). Let us ask God to send to us and seek earnestly some haverim to encourage, motivate and push us towards the day we stand before Him and give an account. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13-14.
Ch. 6- rabbi – teach us to pray
The practice of “davening” (swaying while praying) is awesome! I think I’m going to try it when I pray. I think we should all wear ‘yarmulkes’ or “kippahs” which were used as a reminder to be humbly in awe of God’s presence all around. I asked myself, “ how are we coming into God’s terribly awesome presence when we come to talk to Him?” I think we need an increased reverence, respect and fear check when we come to God guys. It says in Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire. “ We could practice bowing to our Sensei more often in humility cause God is opposes the proud.
by Bryan
On September 15, 2010
The Example by God:
Considering that God always gives us His best, it should be no surprise to us when Jesus calls Himself “The Son of Man”. When you take and ponder the idea that this title for Jesus could mean Gods best example on how to live our Christian lives. It can put a whole new spin on the title. Just take one hour and try to live by the standards that Jesus set. I can predict that in the flesh each one of us will fail. This is just for an hour, now consider one day in the Spirit. By His power we can not only survive but thrive and move closer to the example that Jesus showed us.
So move by His example in His Spirit and just watch your world change.
by Rebecca
On September 22, 2010
How amazingly perfect is Gods timing in all things. As I have been leading our women’s group in the process of discipleship and reading this book on the Jewishness of Jesus and how He and the Jewish people lived their lives, I see how far off we really are or should I say how lightly we take our calling.
It was Jewish tradition not to just read to learn but to live with the person whose skills they sought to attain. Daily living and daily observing of every move their teacher made including what we would call the menial tasks of everyday life that we each think we have mastered and there is nothing new to learn. How wrong we are!
The disciples gave up all to follow their Master Jesus. They lived and followed Him for three years. This was important to them, Jesus was their Master. Is Jesus important to us? Is He our Master? Do we give up all to follow Him?
Jewish culture was to give up all to follow. Christian culture is to give up some to follow when we want to! Why? I believe because we have allowed so much of the world around us to form us and we have gotten to comfortable with our God. God warns us in His word, Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of your minds..” (and the previous verse talks about a living sacrifice, do we take God at His very word) God’s word renews our minds but we must take it for the very truth that it is. We must not say in our hearts “That was for then and not for today” All of Gods word is for today!!!!!
Oh to follow Jesus with the fervent and unreserved diligence that the original 12 did. This is what He asks for, this is what He expects. Are we ready to obey?
Chapter 5 of this book reminds us also of the importance of having others around us to sharpen our faith, our walk, our very lives.
Jesus did not live a solitary life. He lived as an example for all to see. We do not always have it right, we are yet to be perfected. We must strive for this everyday. Those who are mature in Christ can teach the younger in Christ. Those who are mature are still in the process of growing even more. As iron sharpens iron, yes we too sharpen each other. No one is ever above correction or learning! We need each other! I praise God that He has not left us alone to find our way, He above all gave us Himself and He also gave us each other!
by Angelica Dale
On October 9, 2010
Ch1- I really enjoyed the way the author used the story of Mary and Martha to introduce the book. I would like to be in the room with Jesus, Mary and Martha and understand the culture of the Jews during the life of Christ. I also appreciated how she described her experience of trying to communicate with a non english speaker. The first chapter set up a good argument for us as believers to further know Jesus by studying the customs, values and forms of communication during his lifetime.
by Corby
On October 15, 2010
I just finished the book a few night ago. I’m actually going back through it again but skimming. This has been an amazing read! I feel like I’ve been watching a color movie in black and white. Now I see the color!
For those who have not read it, we have a couple copies in the church office/library. You gotta read it.
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