JESUS IS OFT-TIMES seen drawn away from the tensions of daily ministry and mission in a need to find the exact center of his own journey in the moment. These times are frequent, for his pathway is in constant peril. In one such moment, he is facing a decision that will shape history and eternity: Who shall be his apostles, the ones he will send to extend his divine ministry? “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:12-13) Some of those first twelve are well-known to us through the scriptures, some not too well. One, Judas Iscariot, is destined to betray the Lord. Bartholomew is only known of; there is nothing in scripture that ascribes any description of him or his works. But all are carefully selected by Jesus after a full night in prayerful union with his Father.
After day breaks the dark of night, “he calls his disciples to him, and chooses twelve, designating them apostles.” (Luke 6:13) What was it the Father revealed to Jesus about each one of these men, and why were they selected? Peter, Andrew, James, and John, are called out of the life of successful fishermen, first to follow Jesus, and later sent by him into his expanding mission. Fishing is a trade they ply for their living, and each day’s catch finds them interacting with merchants at the docks along the Sea of Galilee. They were men that are somewhat widely known in their society, and who have some influence. Matthew is a tax collector, a vocation of privilege odious to those from whom he exacts tribute to Rome. He also is well-known, and when he suddenly leaves that notorious job he is carefully watched by many, some with suspicion, and some with appreciation. Judas Iscariot, along with Simon, is a fringe member of the Zealots, who want to overthrow Roman rule. Even this traitor has some influence, and will play a unique and critical part in inaugurating the now-but-not-yet kingdom of heaven. Phillip becomes an evangelist, and Thomas doubts. The rest play a part not fully written in scriptures. But all are carefully chosen by Jesus for the most crucial war in history. Light has come into the world (cf. John 1:1-5), and the force of darkness must be overcome. It is from these uneven twelve that he will eventually raise up an army that will engage in a very long battle.
Jesus leads them from the ‘mountain of decision’ to the world of problems below—a world well-known to him, and the central cause of his, and now his apostles’ mission. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:36) Here, in this part of the story, they all stand together. “He went down with them and stood on a level place.” (Luke 6:17a) The Twelve are seen with him, in front of “people from all over Judea, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, because power was coming from him and healing all.” (Luke 6:17b-19)
The apostles, the surrounding disciples, and the crowds see tangible evidence of God’s power to heal. They hear inspiring words of liberation and hope. “Blessed are you who are poor, who hunger now, who weep now; for yours is the kingdom of God; you will be satisfied, and you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:20-23) This is a message that speaks to the deepest hunger of the human heart. It has captured the heart of the Twelve, some more than others. It is Peter, the extroverted one, who later says “We have left all we had to follow you!” (Luke 18:28) Jesus will then respond, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
Before his last long night of prayer, this in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays a final blessing from his Father over the apostles. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:15-19) He will be betrayed this night, but his concern is for this little band of brothers, whom he has entrusted with his church.
But here, Jesus’ prayer is not only for this small group of men. Instead, his intercession breaks through the boundaries of time, and extends to and through generations to come. “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-22) His prayer is ageless, crossing all generations; it is also specific, and refers to you and me, in our journey through destiny, “in such a time as this.” (Est. 4:14)
It is the Lord who calls. He is the one who chooses. But consider Jesus words: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” (John 15-16) It is good for us to see apostles’ flaws on public display in the scriptures, for we then see that it is possible to continue on past our inconsistencies. It wasn’t just Thomas who doubted, nor was it only Peter who denied. But, these and many other of Jesus’ early disciples pulled themselves together, and they changed the world. When we are chosen, the task seems immeasurably beyond our ability, but we take comfort from outside our own strengths and weaknesses. Jesus is “the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb. 12:2) Paul reminds us that “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24) And the Spirit, encouraging us in our daily but eternal battles, says “the Lamb will triumph because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Rev. 17:14)
Q. Will I leave everything when I am called?
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