I am a Jesus pusher!!! There were radical differences between being a disciple of Jesus and a disciple of another person of His day. One is Jesus CHOSE His disciples. Luke indicates there were a large number of disciples following Jesus. After praying all night He gathered them, and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles (Luke 6:13). This was unique among the Jews because it was normal for the students to choose their teachers. Also Jesus CALLED His disciples. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Both the “choosing” and the “calling” are strongly stated. A third difference is the COMMITMENT to leave everything. Discipleship to a rabbi was temporary. The students would assemble in a classroom and the teacher taught by question, repetition and memorization. It was expected that the disciple would render respectful service to his teacher during his apprenticeship. After this period of learning and listening, the student became the teacher. Jesus did not take His disciples to a classroom. He gave them “on the job training” in the field, on the sea, and in the villages. He engaged them in the marketplace of their lives. This way of teaching remains to this day. Since Jesus chose and called me, I will embrace the commitment. This life commitment is to be shaped and structured by His indwelling presence. But who wouldn’t want to learn and be molded into His image? I am a committed Jesus pusher!!!