Apprentices!

I’m just back from an Induction Service! For those to whom that is totally meaningless, it refers to the “setting in” of a new minister within a Christian congregation. I had preached a number of times during the period when the two congregations involved were without a minister, and had been invited to the service this evening. Being a Church of Scotland event brought some physical colour to the proceedings as most of the clergy were wearing robes – of different colours – and academic hoods from a variety of Universities, and for a variety of degrees.

Part of the proceedings involved a message from the Word of God – the Bible – brought by one of the younger ministers. He based it on the well-known account of the feeding of more than 5,000 people with just five small rolls and a couple of small fish, but started with a reference to a well-known programme currently being aired on British television – The Apprentice. The disciples, he suggested, were Jesus’ apprentices.

What is an apprentice? Well, when I was a commie (apprentice) chef, I was watching, learning, copying, the chefs who were fully trained and experienced in the job. And that’s what a disciple of Jesus is – one who watches Jesus, learns from Jesus, copies Jesus.

I guess that people fall into one of three categories. There are those who have no time for Jesus at all; who deny His very existence; who live their lives in their own way, satisfying their own desires. Then there are those who claim membership of a Christian fellowship/congregation, but who have no personal knowledge, or experience, of the Lord Jesus. They bear the name, but lack the power, of the Biblical Christian. But, praise God, there are also those who are true disciples of Jesus – those who seek to keep Him at the centre of their lives, and themselves in the centre of His will; those who look to Him for guidance and direction; those who are true followers, true apprentices, true disciples.

In the television show, only one apprentice wins the right to a year in which Sir Alan Sugar (a well-known British businessman) shares his business-building secrets. All of the other contestants hear the words, “You’re fired!” How different it is with Jesus! With Him, every apprentice is a winner. He shares, not the secrets of business, but the secrets of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:11), the secrets of eternal life (John 6:68) – and not for a year of time, but for eternity itself.

I wonder into which of the three groups you would place yourself? If it isn’t the third group, then that’s where to start (some of the audio messages may be helpful). If it is the third group, then I pray the richest blessing of Father God that you might be the best apprentice, the best disciple, that you can possibly be. Your prize? The upward calling of God, in Christ Jesus (Phil.3:14), and a crown of glory that will not fade away (I Pet.5:4). Hallelujah!