Twelve Men and The Master

N.T.#513 "Twelve Men and The Master"

March 24, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 3 

Isn't it a good feeling to be a part of something, to feel needed. wanted, and loved? Jesus had that effect on twelve men. Read on to find out how.

What did Jesus do after He taught in the synagogue and healed the withered hand of a man? Jesus went to a mountain to pray to God, continuing all night praying. He was preparing for the selection of a select group of men who would be responsible for instructing all of His followers. It was one of the most important decisions of His entire ministry. 

Jesus' select few became His closest companions, assisted in His miracles, shared His meals, traveled with Him everywhere to witness every moment, hear His sermons repeated a hundred times, learn to replicate His ministry, and ultimately carry on without His physical presence. This up-close-and-personal training would transform a select group of disciples into apostles. Disciple follow and learn. Apostles exercise delegated authority. (Swindoll)

Let me make a distinction-apostles (sent ones) walked with Jesus during His ministry. Others were disciples, following His teachings and watching His miracles. Jesus didn't select the brightest scholars from the temple in Jerusalem, nor from those devoted to obedience to the Law. They were ordinary men, some fishermen, a tax collector, etc.

Jesus saw His men not as what they were, but as what they were to become (verses 14-16):

1. Simon (called Peter) and his brother
2. Andrew;
3. James and his brother
4. John, sons of Zebedee;
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew (called Nathaniel)
7. Levi (called Matthew)
8. Thomas the doubter
9. James the son of Alphaeus, (the Less, shorter or younger than the other James)
10. Simon (called Zelotes)
11. Judas the brother of James, (called Thaddaeous)
12. Judas Iscariot (son of Simon Iscariot), from the city of Kerioth in southern Judea, and the traitor.

Those 12 became Jesus assistants and stood behind Him on stage, so to speak. Mark 3 also gives us these names of Jesus' hand-picked apostles. After Jesus died, some of them went on to write the Gospels, share the gospel one-on-one, and have a grand revelation of the future to record.

Has Jesus called you to follow Him? Are you an overcomer to share what Jesus has done in your life?

LET IT GROW

As the 12 came down from their mountain-top experience with Jesus, they saw people with needs for teaching, needs for healing, and needs for freedom from demons. That was the 3 categories the needs of the people fell into.  However, Jesus wasn't alone now, for He had His 12 assistants in ministry. 

What are we doing in the ministry of the Master? Are we sitting on the sidelines watching others get the blessing of serving? Are we on the frontlines, doing as the Savior leads?

LET IT GO

What do we need to lay down so we can follow Jesus wholeheartedly?