DAY #57: February 26, 2009 - Mark 3:13-35

Jesus did not take volunteers; he chose and called those he wanted. Jesus wanted these men; so he called them, and they came to him. They did not hesitate to obey. Jesus had many disciples (learners), but he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions, calling them apostles (messengers). The apostles were Jesus’ inner circle.

He gave them special training, and he sent them out with his own authority. From the hundreds of people who followed Jesus from place to place, he especially selected these twelve to receive the most intense training. We see the impact of these men throughout the rest of the New Testament, for they started the Christian church. The choice of twelve men is highly symbolic. The number twelve corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28), showing the continuity between the old religious system and the new one based on Jesus’ message.

Jesus did not choose these twelve to be his disciples because of their faith—it often faltered. He didn’t choose them because of their talent and ability—no one stood out with unusual ability. The disciples represented a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, but apparently they may have had no more leadership potential than those who were not chosen. The one characteristic they all shared was their willingness to obey Jesus.

The first disciples name recorded was Simon, whom Jesus renamed Peter. Jesus gave him a name in addition to the one he already had—he did not change Simon’s name. Sometimes Peter is referred to as Cephas. “Peter” is the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic Cephas—a word meaning stone or rock. Peter had been a fisherman . He became one of three in Jesus’ core group among the disciples. He also confessed that Jesus was the Messiah.

James and John had also been fishermen. James would become the first martyr for the Christian faith (Acts 12:2). John would write the Gospel of John, the letters of 1, 2, and 3 John, and the book of Revelation. These brothers were nicknamed Sons of Thunder. Scripture gives glimpses of these men, revealing that they were somewhat short-tempered and judgmental; for example, they wanted to call fire down from heaven on an inhospitable Samaritan village (Luke 9:52-56). Thus Jesus gave them an appropriate name.

Andrew was Peter’s brother and also a fisherman. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist. He left John to follow Jesus, and then brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. Philip was the fourth to meet Jesus. Philip probably knew Andrew and Peter because they were from the same town, Bethsaida. Philip then brought Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) as recorded in John 1:45-47.

Bartholomew at first rejected Jesus because Jesus was from Nazareth. But upon meeting Jesus, his attitude changed (John 1:49). Matthew was also known as Levi. He had been a tax collector (Mark 2:14). He had been a despised outcast because of his dishonest career, but he abandoned that corrupt (though lucrative) way of life to follow Jesus. He would later write the Gospel of Matthew. Thomas is sometimes called “Doubting Thomas” because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:24-25). But he also loved the Lord and was a man of great courage (John 11:16).

Thomas was tough and committed, even if he tended to be pessimistic. Thus, when the other disciples said that Jesus was alive, Thomas didn’t believe them. However, when Thomas saw and touched the living Christ, doubting Thomas became believing Thomas. James is designated as son of Alphaeus to differentiate him from James the son of Zebedee (and brother of John). Thaddaeus is also called “Judas son of James” (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). Simon was probably not a member of the party of Zealots, for that political party did not appear until a.d. 68. Most likely the word Zealot used here indicates zeal for God’s honor and not extreme nationalism; it was an affectionate nickname.

The name Iscariot is probably a compound word meaning “the man from Kerioth.” Thus, Judas’s hometown was Kerioth in southern Judea , making him the only one of the Twelve who was not from Galilee. It was Judas, son of Simon Iscariot , who betrayed Jesus to his enemies and then committed suicide. Mark presents a paradoxical picture of the disciples. They doubted and they failed, yet they were used to build the church. Some died for him, one betrayed him. The message is, what kind of disciple will you be?

Although God permits Satan to work in our world, God is in control. Jesus, as God, has “tied up” Satan; Jesus is able to drive out demons and end their terrible work in people’s lives. As such, every exorcism was a binding of Satan; one day Satan will be bound forever (Revelation 20:10).

Jesus had just been accused of being in league with Satan and had soundly refuted those charges. Here he had a few words for these so-called teachers of religious law, the Jewish leaders.
First he made the incredible promise that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy. Too often people miss this promise and worry about the warning in the next verse. But the fact is, those who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of all sins (evil acts, wrong actions, good actions not done, evil thoughts, evil motives, etc.) and of all blasphemies (evil words said against God). When there is confession and repentance, no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, I've got to spend more time investing in the men I am discipling. I see in them so much leadership and a heart for You and Your people. Lord, help them see what You see and what I see in them. Give them a God sized vision for their life. Build their faith and their boldness. And Lord, use me, however you would, to teach, model, inspire, correct and encourage them to greatness in building Your Kingdom. Use them to impact their families and their wives and their world and our church. Lord, use them to turn the world upside down.

"But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and, getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the marketplace, they gathered together a mob, set the town in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring [Paul and Silas] out to the people. But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also..." Acts 17:5-6 (AMP)

PRAYER

Lord, raise up disciples all over our church. Men and women who will follow you and obey you. Men and women who will love you with all of their heart and soul and mind and strength. Men and women who are committed to Your word and committed to biblical reconciliation. Men and women who are the same in private as they are in public. Men and women who are humble. Men and women who are genuine servants. Lord, do this work to build Your kingdom. All for You and Your glory.