Chosen to be like Him

My most recent readings have taken me through Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis. This is another spectacular book in a long line of amazing books that I have had the privilege to read over the past year or so now.
There were a few concepts that Bell pointed out that I just loved. First, he always referred to our lives and the goings on as our story. I don't know why, but this resonated with me. This idea that the things that go on in your life become part of you, who you are. The people in your life impact your story and you impact theirs. I know this is kind of a "well duh" thing, but it made me look at how I might affect the stories around me and it made me really embrace my story. When you think about how your actions now may affect you and those around you, maybe even 30 years down the road, it just makes you think.
I thought there were some great insights into Jewish life and specifically what this meant for Jesus and the disciples.
Bell outlines what it would have been like growing up as a Jewish boy in those days. What Jesus would have learned at what ages and how this impacted him. It's really interesting. One thing he mentions is when a rabbi was teaching and asking questions he would seldom give answers. "Have you noticed how Jesus rarely answers a question, but always responds with another question? This is a way of showing a deeper understanding, that a student not only understands the information, but can take it a step further. "
Those students who excel would become disciples. This isn't just further learning. "The goal of the disciple wasn't simply to know what the rabbi knew, but to be just like the rabbi."
So the question for the rabbi is, can this kid cut it as my disciple. Can he be like me, know the things I know, live how I live, take on my life and live it even after I am gone. The kid would leave everything behind to study as a disciple at the feet of his rabbi. What an honor to be a disciple.
"So at the age of 30, when a rabbi generally began his public teaching and training of disciples, we find Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee". He first calls Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen. This shows that as younger kids they weren't good enough to "cut it" and went off to learn the family trade. Jesus says "Come follow me" and they drop everything. He is telling them "You can be like me". Of course they drop their nets, they are being told a rabbi thinks they can do what he does. He thinks they can be like him.
James and John were fishing with their father. With their father, how old were they then, 14, 15, maybe 20. They are just kids. "Jesus took some boys who didn't make the cut and changed the course of history."
Take Jesus walking on water. I always thought this was a weird story. Was this just some example of Jesus showing that he is God and can do whatever he wants? Maybe, but think about Peter. As a disciple he has been told that he can be like his rabbi and that is the point of it all. So he sees Jesus walking on water and of course he wants to do it. When he begins to sink he cries out to Jesus. Jesus says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" "Who does Peter loose faith in? Not Jesus; Jesus is doing fine. Peter loses faith in Himself. Peter loses faith that he can do what his rabbi is doing."
Remember, a rabbi calls disciples because he has faith in them. He believes they can be like him. Note that Jesus gets frustrated with his disciples, but also note why. It isn't because they are incapable, but because they are so capable. It isn't their failures, but because he sees their greatness and they don't.
"God has an incredibly high view of people. God believes that people are capable of amazing things. i have been told that i need to believe in Jesus. Which is a good thing. but what I am learning is that Jesus believes in me. I have been told that I need to have faith in God. Which is a good thing.l But what I am learning is that God has faith in me. The rabbi thinks we can be like him."