"Velvet Elvis"-DAY TEN

Today, I'm covering Chapter 5 of "Velvet Elvis".

This was probably one of the easiest chapters to read because Bell uses this chapter to describe how Jewish children were raised and related it to how Jesus ran his ministry.

The Jewish education system went like this:

-The first level was called "Bet Sefer" ("House of the Book"). Starting at the age of 6, all children were required to learn "The Torah" (the name given to the first 5 books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). They were expected to have "The Torah" memorized by the age of 10.

-The second level was called "Bet Talmud" ("House of Learning"). This would last from age 10 to 14. Students would memorize the rest of the Hebrew scriptures. The top students would have the ENTIRE Old Testament memorized. Anyone who didn't go to this level of education would learn the family trade.

-The third level was called "Bet Midrash" ("House of Study"). A student would choose a rabbi they wanted to follow and be one of his disciples (or "talmidim"). The rabbi would question the student on how much knowledge he had of the scriptures to see if the student had what it took to be a rabbi. He would either accept the student as his disciple or tell him to go home and learn the family trade. He only wanted the best of the best.

Think for a moment about what happens during that third level of education, especially the point about the rabbi only wanting the best of the best as his disciples.

Who did Jesus chose to be his disciples?? FISHERMEN!!! These were people probably not considered to be "the best of the best", but Jesus chose them as his disciples. Jesus saw their potential. He knew what they could be when everyone else couldn't see it.

Check out this quote from Rob Bell: "A rabbi would only pick a disciple who he thought could actually do what he was doing. Notice how many places in the accounts of Jesus' life he gets frustrated with his disciples. Because they are incapable? No, because of how capable they are. He sees what they could be and could do, and when they fall short, it provokes him to no end. It isn't their failure that's the problem; it's their greatness. They don't realize what they are capable of."

With all my sins and screw ups I commit on a daily basis, I'm glad Jesus chose me anyway. I didn't have to be "the best of the best". I just have to try and be as much like him as possible.

Thanks for reading!