Jesus Chooses the Twelve

Luke 6:12-16

Key verse 13

“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”

Introduction

In today’s passage Jesus prayed and called his disciples to him; choosing twelve of them. Jesus served God in finding young men to help spread the word of His kingdom. Jesus entrusts us to go spread the news of His glory and His kingdom as well. May the Lord help us to follow Jesus and continue to raise up disciples in these dark and troubling times.

1. Read verse 12. What does Jesus do after he heals a man on the Sabbath? (12b, Mk 3:13) What do you think he might have prayed about that night? What do you think we can learn from Jesus here?

1-1 Read verse 12.

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

1-2 What does Jesus do after he heals a man on the Sabbath? (12b, Mk 3:13)

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Jesus went up on a mountainside... - Mark 3:13

“One of those days” has to do with the previous passage that the Pharisees shows their evil desire to use a man with a shriveled hand as a way to trap Jesus into committing what they believe would be a sin. Through this method they sought to get rid of him. They would even go as far as to have him killed.

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Matthew 9:34-38

1-3 What do you think he might have prayed about that night?

In the flow of the passage and according to synoptic gospels, Jesus must have decided to choose the twelve disciples and train them as future leaders and shepherds of his flock in this world.

That is why Jesus must have prayed earnestly all night.

1-4 What do you think we can learn from Jesus here?

In those days Jesus could have despaired due to the sinful plotting of the powerful religious leaders. However he did not and instead went up on a mountainside and spent the night praying to God.

Through praying he had personal time with his Father in heaven and Jesus was strengthened through this to push on in his ministry. Jesus went to God in prayer.

Jesus listened to God in his prayers all night long. Jesus found strength in God. Jesus found wisdom in God.

Here we can see the importance of praying and being mindful of God’s plans and wishes for us in our lives. He alone can direct us along a path that as good and right and that will lead to more disciples being added to his flock through our service. Jesus acknowledges that God chose the twelve disciples for Him.

**John 17 reveals what is in Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

*God had sent the twelve disciples to Jesus to live with him and learn more about the way, the truth, and the life in Him.

God chooses by his grace for his own reasons. We can take comfort in knowing that we did not choose God, but God chose us.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit..” -John 15: 16

We can be thankful to God for giving us such a privilege to be His chosen disciples.

Bringing people into His flock is God’s plan.

May God help us to raise disciples of Jesus!

Through praying for guidance and wisdom, we can be endowed with God’s Holy Spirit to lead and direct our ministry to young new members of His flock.

“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” -Zechariah 4:6

When we are prayerful and follow God’s direction and His plans for us in our lives we will be very fruitful in bringing others into His flock.

2. Read verse 13. What does Jesus do when morning comes? (Mk 3:13) Why do you think he chooses the twelve out of his disciples? (Mk 3:14a) Why do you think Jesus was able to designate these twelve as his apostles so quickly? What does the term apostle mean? (Mk 3:14b -15)

2-1 Read verse 13.

13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

2-2 What does Jesus do when morning comes? (Mk 3:13)

“..called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.” - Mark 3:13b

2-3 Why do you think he chooses the twelve out of his disciples? (Mk 3:14a)

The number twelve seems to be meaningful in that God he chose the twelve sons of Jacob to begin the twelve tribes of Israel as his holy people.

The twelve tribes of Israel then became a light shining in a dark place for the nations around them which did not know God as they did.

So ‘twelve’ is not an arbitrary number, but it indicates that God has a plan to save the whole world through these twelve disciples.

Jesus chooses the twelve disciples.

In Jesus’ time a student who was going to study with a teacher would spend a lot of time with that person, often studying a single discipline.

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him..” - Mark 3:14a

Jesus aimed at having intimate fellowship with his twelve disciples, helping them know who he is in a personal way.

Jesus also formed a team among his disciples to serve God together.

2-4 Why do you think Jesus was able to designate these twelve as his apostles so quickly?

Jesus did not put them to placement tests such as Math or English as one enter community college. However he knew that they were the right ones because God had chosen these young men.

In order to become an electric grand master, one should go through five year apprenticeship as well as rigorous 5 year journeyman course. These disciples would take years to learn what Jesus had to show them about God.

Again Jesus called all of his followers and selected 12 among them to be his disciples.

They were designated as apostles. They would have a special experience with him and be presented firsthand with his most significant teachings and actions.

In the future, he would recognize them as legitimate carriers of his message, and as his representatives on earth.

They would become authors of the New Testament. Innumerable people would learn of Jesus through them.

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. - 2 Peter 3:2

2-5 What does the term apostle mean? (Mk 3:14b -15)

Apostles means “ambassadors” in Greek who will be sent on behalf of the king to deliver the king’s message.

According to a dictionary, ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.

“...and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” - Mark 3:14b-15.

3. Read verse 14-16. What kinds of people are the twelve? What similarities and differences might have been found among them? Why do you think Jesus might have mentioned Peter’s name first? (Mk 3:16, Mt 10:2, Mt 16:17-20) What do you think we can learn from Jesus as he chooses Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples? (16b) What do you think we can learn from Jesus’ service and compassion in serving God’s will to seek and save the lost in this world? (Mt 9:35-37, 10:5-42)

3-1 Read verse 14-16.

14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

3-2 What kinds of people are the twelve?

They are ordinary people.

3-3 What similarities and differences might have been found among them?

They were humble learners like new wineskins that Jesus had mentioned.

They are different in terms of their personal characteristics and backgrounds.

12 names:

Simon Peter - see next question

Andrew - Andrew is referred to as "Peter's brother." Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. After that, Jesus didn’t pay attention to Andrew as much as he did to Peter. However Andrew did not mind. Andrew was not self-centered. Andrew was most cooperative. When Jesus wanted to feed a large crowd, Andrew understood Jesus' heart the most. Although he was not asked, he brought five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Quiet men of good influence, like Andrew, are precious in God’s eyes.

James - son of Zebedee, son of thunder (Mark 3:17), He was executed by Herod. (Acts 12:2)

John - Also the son of Zebedee. Luke 9:54 reads, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” He is also ambitious. Once, when Jesus was nearing Jerusalem to suffer and die for sinners, James and John tried to claim positions at his right and left hand. Thanks to Jesus he became an apostle of love.

Philip - Philip was sought out by Jesus. (John 1:43) He is known for his intelligence but he had difficult time in knowing Jesus’ heart.

Bartholomew - Bartholomew may be the same person as Nathanael, whom Philip brought to Jesus. He died as a martyr.

Matthew - Levi, a tax collector

Thomas - known as “the doubter.” Jesus showed him patience and became he a missionary to India and died as a martyr. He went to the farthest land among disciples once his doubt had been overcome by Jesus’ grace.

James son of Alphaeus - might have been Matthew's brother.

Simon who was called the Zealot - was a member of the nationalist party of Israel. He must have had a hard time getting along with Matthew who, as a tax collector most often would have been labeled a traitor to the Jewish nation.

Judas son of James - little information about him.

Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor - self explanatory,

3-4 Why do you think Jesus might have mentioned Peter’s name first? (Mk 3:16, Mt 10:2, Mt 16:17-20)

Although the way of description in Luke(individual name), Mark(Peter, James and John, the rest), and Matthew(two by two) is different, they have something in common in that Simon Peter is mentioned first.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

- Matthew 10:2-4

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. - Mark 3:16-19

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. - Matthews 16:17-20

Simon was passionate and outspoken. He seemed to be a natural leader.

However, he had obvious weaknesses and made big mistakes. He seemed too unstable to be a truly effective leader.

However, Jesus had a great hope for him from the very first day he saw him. Jesus gave him the name "Peter," which means "Rock." (John 1)

It meant he would be the rock of Jesus' church. Peter's virtue was that he was

willing to listen to Jesus.

This is an essential quality that enabled him to grow in Jesus. However, it was Jesus' deep grace of restoration that sustained Peter through his difficulties.

In Jesus' hope and deep grace Simon did become Peter; the rock of the early church.

In the book of 1 and 2 Peter, Peter introduced himself as Jesus’ servant as well as apostle:

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

3-5 What do you think we can learn from Jesus as he chooses Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples? (16b)

Jesus includes Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples.

Still he was called, chosen, loved and trained Jesus, just as the others were.

He was the only one of the twelve who did not become a great man of God’s word. He loved money more than he loved Jesus.

Still Jesus chose him. Jesus did not avoid the cross in choosing his apostles. Jesus followed God's will.

Jesus says, “Love your enemy.”

It is not easy to love the ones who betray us.

However Jesus loved Judas to the end in John 13.

Praise Jesus!

3-6 What do you think we can learn from Jesus’ service and compassion in serving God’s will to seek and save the lost in this world? (Mt 9:35-37, 10:5-42)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Conclusion

Among the twelve were people of diverse backgrounds and personalities. By choosing them, Jesus embraced each kind of person in an intimate way. Jesus embraces all kinds of people in the hope of raising them as great men of God. Everyone has hope in Jesus. Generally, we like to be with those we have a lot in common with. However Jesus spent time with all of his disciples which can represent every kind of person; even a traitor. Like Jesus we must embrace all kinds of people. Then we can know Jesus’ heart. Praise Jesus.

One word: Jesus designated them as apostles!

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