Out Our Way: From student to teacher - Mark 3:14-15

Out our way the terms "greenhorn" or "tenderfoot" for a cowhand denotes a beginner. Seasoned cowhand all started out as greenhorns - some began early as little kids learning under the tutelage of their parents and family, while others came to it later in life. I, of course, was of the latter category, and I sometimes felt embarrassed by young kids who could ride and rope and even knew what the heck a "houlihan" was. (Google it, tenderfoot!) But we all had to start as beginners regardless of age - and, if we kept learning, even the worst "dude" could eventually become a real cowhand. 

Now Charlie was from back East (North Carolina), so I don't expect he was raised up cowboying from a young age. But regardless of when and where he began his journey into his eventual place of honor in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, he was a greenhorn at some point. Like the rest of us, he had to learn how to ride, to work cows, find good pasture and clear water for the herds and get them there. Someone had to teach him that. He wasn't raised on a ranch - and,I assume, came into cowboying later in life.  

When I met Charlie, he was no longer a beginner - nor, while he would be the first to say he was always learning, was he merely a student, for Charlie had become a teacher. Charlie took me under his wing as the rankiest beginner that ever rode the Hi-Line grasslands, and while I cannot say I ever achieved real cowhand status - I did get to the point where I could ride, work cows, and push the herd to new pasture and water on my own. Charlie helped me move from mere tenderfoot to a semi-adequate cowhand. Someone had done the same for Charlie and he passed it on to me. Had I begun at an earlier age and other things had worked out differently, I like to think in time I would have also become a guide and teacher to some other greenhorn. 

As Lent begins and we prepare for the great Holy Day of Resurrection Sunday, it is well to remember those 12 tenderfeet/greenhorn/shavetails Jesus had with him. Despite the stained glass windows depicting them as heroic, saintly followers ... read more carefully and see what a crew of weak, foolish, often stupid people they were. (Sort of like the rest of us!) Indeed, Peter - who would eventually be the leader - was accused by Christ of working for Satan (Matthew 16:23) in his greenhorn days. He didn't mean to, but in his ignorance, that is exactly what he was doing. Ego blinds us to our ignorance.

Jesus renamed him "Peter" (the Rock) as the foundation stone for the Church - but just maybe also for the fact the man was often as thick and dumb as one.

Nevertheless, Jesus chose him and the others to first be disciples and later Apostles. Consider those words. Disciple: The term refers to a follower and imitator of a master. More than a mere believer or proponent, the disciple is an active follower and student, seeking to become like the master. At the rodeo there are many fans, but few cowboys. In the Church there are many Christians but often few disciples. 

The other word is apostle - it means "One who is sent." There were many "disciples" of Jesus, for we read of large crowds who sought to follow Him. But only 12 of them became Apostles ... those He commissioned to carry on His work and teach others as He had taught them. Aside from Judas, who betrayed Christ and later killed himself; and John, whom most scholars believe died in Exile in Patmos (where he wrote the Book of Revelation); all the Apostles were killed for teaching the Gospel message. Even so, their work took root and spread across the world despite persecution then and unto the present day.

I am a believer who is seeking to truly be a disciple, and something of an Apostle. I sought to teach my learnings as a preacher and now try to continue teaching through this column. Every once in a while I discover I have accomplished that goal. I suspect you are doing much the same in different ways - for when you live Christ in daily life, you teach Christ. Remember that old poem:

"You are preaching the Gospel, a chapter each day

By the things that you do, and the words that you say.

People hear what you teach, whether faithless or true,

So ... what is the Gospel - according to you? "

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].