When I first became cognizant that Y’shua (better known as “Jesus”) walked up and said to guys (who were busily working at their jobs) “come follow me” and they dropped what they were doing immediately and walked off their jobs to follow him, I wondered; if a stranger came to my office and said, “come follow me” would I do it? Ummm “no.”

As the majority of the Christians of today follow the teachings and traditions of Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christianity (the big three), likewise did the majority of the Jews of Y’shua’s/Jesus’ time follow the teachings and traditions of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes (their big three).

In the same way that it would be difficult for the vast majority of Christians to follow a new evangelist whose messages criticize and in various other ways diverge from the teachings and traditions of “the big three”, it must have been difficult for Jews to leave their traditions to follow Y’shua.

John the baptizer and his relatively few followers had begun the movement that would eventually be called “The Way”, lead by Y’shua of Nazareth. Many of them seem to have followed Y’shua after John’s arrest and death; however, the majority of people in the region never followed Y’shua at all, much less with any consistency.

Although there were multitudes that came out to see him from time to time, it appears they mainly did so for the miracles he performed. Some were likely intrigued by the novelty of the new healer/preacher (there were other miracle workers at the time). I considered that there was no internet, TV, nor radio; not many books were available in the public markets and majority of people could not read. So, Y’shua (for some) was likely purley entertainment.

Most Christians would agree that the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes had it wrong. Although they had the best chance, of all people in the entire world, to have it right they did not. The most esteemed leaders of the most knowledgeable, popular, and authoritative traditions had it wrong, therefore those who followed them likewise had it wrong.

So why did those who did consistently follow Jesus leave those dominant traditions? According to the Bible, different disciples followed for different reasons, but all of them seem to have believed Y’shua would lead them into a revolt against Rome and restore Israel to self rule.

Several of them discussed their shared role in ruling along side Y’shua.  Indeed, he promised them they would.

 “Look, Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Note: At that time, Judas (who would later betray Y’shua) was one of the twelve.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.

The reason they began to follow, seems to have given way (at least partially) to a different reasoning for continuing their following His teaching — his way — after Y’shua’s departure. For these relatively few, the teachings of Y’shua became a new way of life and faith that was different than the big three.

What are the chances that the big three of today have it right?
What would it take for Christians of today to leave their traditions and follow “The Way”? °