Walking with Rabbi Jesus

It is perhaps a great tragedy to read the Scriptures without acknowledging or having a basic understanding of the Jewish culture in which Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again.

Jesus was not born in the United States.

Jesus did not grow up in a middle-class family. His family likely wasn’t even lower class.

Jesus did not live in a democratic republic.

Jesus was not a Republican. He wasn’t a Democrat. Probably wouldn’t even be an independent. 

Jesus was not a Christian. Wasn’t Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, or any other.

Jesus was middle eastern in culture. Raised in a first century Jewish home. He would have been educated in their system led by the Pharisees. He would have memorized Torah and was rejected as a young boy by the Rabbis of the day. Possibly because he was conceived out of wedlock. He went to synagogue. He worked. More likely as a stone mason in a quarry owned by Herod than as a woodworker. Yet, when he began his ministry he taught with authority beyond that of a rabbi of the day. His teachings echo much of the culture surrounding him. They are filled with rabbinic challenges.

Matthew 5:17

A very well known scripture reference. Jesus is teaching and says that he is not abolishing the Law but fulfilling it. Jesus is not accomplishing the Law so that it is canceled out but is teaching that his life will be the true walking out of the Law. He is the supreme example of what it means to live the Law in practice. Jesus is the correct interpretation of the Law and is walking it out in daily living. In fancy talk - both his orthodoxy and his orthopraxy are correct. If a teacher does not live out his interpretation of the Law then he is abolishing the Law. Jesus is teaching the people to watch him walk out the correct understanding of the Law. He doesn’t get rid of it. He makes it alive and real. A true follower will see the fruit of the right understanding of the Law in their life. In other words, if the branch isn’t producing an apple then it isn’t an apple tree.

Matthew 4:19

This verse is not the only place this shows up. Jesus is calling disciples to follow him. A very rabbi thing to do. He challenged far more than the 12 to follow him. It is a regular part of the message. The 12 were all rejected from the system too. Some of them far more than the others. Matthew was a tax-collector. Like the worst of the worst. In response to his call Matthew invites Jesus to dinner and invites every low-life sinner in the area. It’s beautiful. In a first century Jewish culture the male child would start schooling early and be taught Torah. He would be expected to memorize it in its entirety. They started this stage around 5 or 6 years old. Following that the brighter ones would start Beth Talmud, which goes beyond the first 5 books. Most would be done by 10 years old, except for the most exceptional students. Those would be called to “follow” a rabbi and see how he conducted and lived his life. If they somehow attained a greater status, think Saul here, they might began interpreting Torah themselves. That is why it is so amazing that Jesus interpreted Torah. He shouldn’t. He isn’t qualified. He was rejected. He doesn’t have the authority. But he does it all the same.

1 Corinthians 4:16 / 1 Corinthians 11:1 / Philippians 3:17

Paul considered Jesus to be his rabbi. Paul’s story is one of prominence. He was chosen. He was selected and called to follow one of the greatest rabbis of the day. He was special. Then, everything changed on the road to Damascus. He was called to follow a new rabbi. A rabbi he previously hated and sought to destroy. And yet, he begins to challenge the people he is leading to follow him as he is following Jesus. Paul is sharing that Jesus is his and the true rabbi. There is no other. And Paul continues the rabbinical tradition by calling the people of the day to follow him, to imitate him, as he is imitating the true rabbi - Jesus.

These are only a few examples of why it is important to have an understanding of the cultural context taking place in the Bible. There is so much richness in seeing these things within Scripture. Take time to learn what the world surrounding Jesus was like and what these statements would mean to the people. It will deepen your time and enrich your life.