A few weeks ago, I discussed the importance of being Jesus’ apprentices. But what does it mean to be an apprentice?
Historically, apprenticeships required individuals to meet several key expectations to ensure they successfully learned and mastered their chosen trade:
- Commitment and loyalty to their master
- Obedience and respect in following instructions/rules
- Willingness to learn and spend time developing their trade
- Hard work and diligence even in menial tasks
- Perseverance and patience with challenges
- Good behavior and ethical conduct
- Personal sacrifice and full commitment to training
These expectations ensured that apprentices could eventually become skilled practitioners and possibly masters themselves, contributing to the continuity and quality of the craft.
So how does the historical account of what an apprentice looked like correspond to being Jesus’ apprentice? Jesus told us in Luke 9:23-24 what is required:
“Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.”
Let’s break it down into a few key components of becoming Jesus’ apprentice:
- Commitment to the Mentor’s Path: Just as an apprentice must give up their own way to learn and follow the guidance of a master, Jesus calls His followers to abandon their own desires and align with His teachings.
- Daily Practice and Discipline: Taking up the cross daily reflects the continuous effort and perseverance an apprentice must exhibit, mirroring the daily dedication to learning and practicing the craft under the mentor’s supervision by spending time with Him.
- Transformation Through Sacrifice: Apprentices often undergo personal and professional sacrifices to master their craft. Similarly, Jesus teaches that true followers will find life through the sacrifice of their own desires, undergoing a profound transformation.
- Ultimate Reward: Just as an apprentice eventually becomes proficient and gains mastery, those who give up their life for Jesus’ sake will attain spiritual fulfillment and salvation. This illustrates that the apprenticeship journey, though challenging, leads to a rewarding outcome.
If you feel called to deepen your relationship with Jesus – The Master – and commit to being His apprentice, start today. Reflect on the areas of your life where you can surrender more fully to His guidance. Join a community or group that supports this journey, and spend time daily in prayer and scripture. Embrace the transformation and ultimate reward that comes with being an apprentice of Jesus.