It’s not always easy to explain an idiom.  You quickly learn this in another culture that enjoys its own sayings.  Nature and the weather, the landscape and the seasons are rich sources of those short phrases that can aptly describe a matter or situation but sound completely Greek to someone unfamiliar with the origins. (Also an idiom)

We are studying Matthew in our weekly Bible study.  It’s delightful to sit at the “feet of Jesus” and learn from His words.  A friend from England sends me a beautiful sermon by a pastor discussing the ancient Jewish practices of rabbis and their disciples. 

It was precisely when we were discussing the ministry of John the Baptist, his imprisonment, the baptism of Jesus, and the calling of the first disciples in Matthew 3 and 4 that the sermon explained the background so fittingly that it resonated with me to share it here.

In our conversation we touched on the passage in Luke that tells the incident during the Passover visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old.  In the notes I wrote about the typical course of a Jewish boy’s life until he was almost 13.  He began learning the first books of the Bible, the Law, very early in his life and knew it by heart, word for word, with a few Psalms added.

Some of the young boys naturally showed a lot of talent and could continue studying the Scriptures.  They chose a rabbi to follow and learn from, almost like an intense apprenticeship, with full immersion in the teachings and comments of the highly learned among the people of Israel. 

Sometimes prominent and well-known rabbis would extend an invitation to an outstanding student with the familiar words: Follow me.  It was a great honor to be called and required total dedication.

Typically, such a young man would spend 15 to 17 years with the rabbi, following him everywhere, learning his way of life, and continuing the high tradition of Jewish scholarship from his mouth and knowledge.  At the age of thirty, he could call his own students or disciples and share his knowledge with them.

For the boys who were not so intellectually adept or eager to learn, there was really only one option left.  They lived at home to learn and practice the family business.

After John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, Jesus left Nazareth and moved to Capernaum, marking the beginning of a new phase in his life.  It signaled the end of the preparatory time, with John’s cry still echoing to this day about the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

Galilee, the northernmost district of Palestine, did not extend to the Mediterranean Sea coast due to the location of Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon).  It bordered Syria to the northeast and the Sea (actually Lake) of Galilee defined the eastern border.  Although not a large area, Galilee was densely populated and the most fertile region in Palestine with, according to Josephus, more than two hundred villages, each with a population of at least fifteen thousand people.

The Galileans were known for their readiness to follow leaders and start uprisings.  They had quick tempers and a tendency to quarrel without hesitation.  They were more inclined toward dignity than exploiting the short-term benefits of a situation.

The term Galilee comes from the Hebrew word galiyl, meaning a circle.  The full name of the area was Galilee of the Gentiles, indicating exposure to non-Jewish influences and ideas.

There were literally thousands of fishing boats around the lake.  Jesus walked and specifically called two sets of brothers as his first disciples.  It was clear that it wasn’t their first encounter with Jesus and some of them were disciples of John the Baptist, who, after his arrest had returned to the family business of fishing.

The description is very specific – they left everything and followed Jesus. There is not even a hint of resistance from their father, Zebedee, who must continue to operate the family business alone.  Maybe he had other sons – we don’t know.  There were hired help. (Mark 1:20)

We must realize what a great honor it was to be called by a rabbi.  Jesus was thirty years old, precisely the time when a rabbi begins an intense study-path with his disciples (students).

They would live, eat, and work with him.  Above all, they would witness every activity and leisure time of his life.  It was intensive training, covering the letter of the Scriptures with all the elements of practical application in everyday life.

 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  (Luke 6:40)

They would bear the “study yoke” of the rabbi on their shoulders.  Paul also said this:  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

The Pharisees made a dedicated life, with thousands of regulations, so difficult that it was scarcely possible to comply.  Ordinary people looked up to them to know how to live.  The scrolls were not available for ordinary people to study.

Jesus reproaches the Pharisees (Matthew 23:4) for making their yoke too heavy for people to bear.  He invites the weary to take His “yoke,” soft and easy, upon their shoulders. (Matthew 11:28-30)  Jesus’ yoke, the study of His teaching, is the best way to equip us for our everyday lives. It is a yoke individually shaped from grace and love, specifically for each person.

There was another idiom applicable to the rabbi-disciple relationship.  The disciple lived so close to his rabbi that he was covered with rabbi-dust.  The paths in the ancient world were mostly dirt roads full of dust and stones. The roads were only prepared for royal visits.  That’s why foot-washing was so important.  The dust of the road left sandaled feet very dirty.

But think for a moment where we would pick up the most dust when walking closely with someone – in the desert, of course.  It’s the dust factory of nature.  That is where we kick up some dust – indicating intense activity, not idleness and purposelessness – rather movement and work.

It is also true that the desert times of life force us closer to our Rabbi.  We don’t just walk alongside – we fall down at His feet, cling to His hand, and walk so closely that we can hear the Word from His mouth clearly.  It’s desert times that open our ears to such an extent that we hear the “trumpet” and experience His coming.  He will never leave us – that’s the promise – especially where we learn to live in His dust.

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (Matthew 11:28-30, The Amplified Bible)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

Are you ready to ready to be covered in the dust of the Rabbi?…to live a life so shaped by God’s Word like the life of Jesus was.