January 26, 2003

The next step after Apprenticeship is to become a Journeyman. It means that one has learned the skills basic to one's trade at the side of the Master and is now on the way to becoming a Master oneself. Today's Scriptures present several journeymen who are on their way to the Lord.

First Apprentice and then Journeyman, and the finally the Master. That is the way someone "travels" when learning a trade. But before "setting out" one must find a trustworthy master who will accept him to study with them. Then they must commit themselves to the journey of learning the trade. By watching and listening to the master, by imitating their example and following their advice, the disciples gradually learn their ways.

The Scriptures this week present a Journeyman, Jonah, and a Master, Jesus. Why did people trust and follow them? People responded to Jonah because he was traveling the way of the Lord himself. He had repented and set out on the journey of discipleship. They responded to Jesus because he was a master worthy of their trust and because he invited them to be his disciples, to walk at his side and to study his ways. People followed them not because of their words but because they knew the way.

There is one problem with Christian discipleship. No one will ever become a master. The most we can strive for to be is the journeyman, like Jonah and Jesus' disciples. We can only show others the way if we commit ourselves to the journey and walk at the master's side, trusting and listening and following the ways of the Lord.

SO THE QUESTION: WHO DO YOU TRUST EVEN WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE DOING?

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