JESUS APPOINTED TWELVE

JESUS APPOINTED TWELVE Mark 3:7-19 Key Verse: 14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles -that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach In Mark s gospel, there are three major works of the Messiah: preaching, healing and raising disciples. Among them, raising disciples was the most important one. To die on the cross and rise again took Jesus only three days. But to raise committed disciples took him three years. In today s passage, Jesus chose twelve disciples. Jesus wanted to raise them as leaders for the future. May God call each of us as one of Jesus disciples. Part I: A large crowd followed Jesus (7-12). Verses 7-12 describe the background of Jesus discipleship ministry. Last week, we learned that Jesus challenged the Pharisees to repent of their wickedness. But they were not repentant. Rather they plotted to kill Jesus. It was not the time to crash with them because Jesus had so many things to do before his crucifixion. So Jesus withdrew to the lake, but a large crowd followed him. Where did they come from? Verse 8 tells us that they came from all across the country. People came not only from Israel, but also from neighboring countries. Why did they come from all over the place? Verse 8 tells us that, "when they heard all he was doing, many people came to him." Jesus helped the paralytic or leper one by one. Jesus risked his life to restore the man with a shriveled hand. When they heard all Jesus was doing, they were inspired. So they flocked around Jesus from all over the place. When we take care of even one sheep like Jesus, they will smell shepherd and come to us. Verses 10-11 tells us that people were so desperate that they were pushing forward to touch Jesus. When Jesus saw these multitudes of people crying for help, Jesus saw them as sheep harassed and helpless without a shepherd. So Jesus decided to raise shepherds who could take care of them. 1

Sometimes students seem to have no problems. But when we know them closely, everyone has his own life problem. Some are lonely, others are crying for help. Outwardly they look gorgeous, but inwardly they may be filled with fear. One of my students always smiles. However, since his parents divorced, he has to work full time to support his life and even his mother while studying. He does not have time to make friends while working for two jobs. He said he is lonely and wished to have a father. Presidential candidates are talking about the war, the environment, and the economy, but people need shepherds who can comfort, encourage, and lead them to a true shepherd Jesus. What did Jesus do while facing the multitudes? Part II: Jesus appointed twelve--designating them apostles (13-15). Look at verse 13. Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. Jesus went up on a mountainside. Jesus must have had in his heart the people who were suffering endlessly because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus wanted to do something for them. He brought this problem to God and sought God s wisdom in prayer (Lk 6:12). After prayer, when the morning came, he called to him those he wanted and they came to him. In other words, he chose his disciples. Whom did he call? He called those he wanted. What does "those he wanted" mean? This means that Jesus chose those he wanted to raise up as future spiritual leaders and shepherds of God s flock. This was done, not based on physical appearances, their IQ, ACT scores, human character, or family background, but based on Jesus sovereign choice. John 15:16 says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last." Some second-gens in UBF think that their parents chose them to be Jesus disciples. They struggle with this problem for 15 or 30 years until they realize that it was not their parents choice but Jesus who chose them. Some may think that they decided themselves to be Jesus' disciples. But we did not choose Jesus; Jesus chose each of us. We must remember that we are called to be his disciples by his onesided grace (1Co 15:9-10). For this reason, we must not be proud or selfrighteous but be humble always. One thing striking in his selection of 2

disciples is that there are no Pharisees. They were old wineskins, too critical and stubborn to learn. Jesus seemed to choose those who had learning minds like COD students. We must be humble and thankful in all circumstances. We must struggle hard in order to maintain this blessing well. One young man was proud and full of pleasure seeking desires. However, during the last two years, he has studied the Bible and written testimonies and attended our worship service faithfully. His inner person has changed. He loves Jesus. Now he wants to be a disciple of Jesus and invite his friends to Jesus. He will be one of the Bible speakers at our upcoming Summer Conference. Look at verse 14. "He appointed twelve--designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." Here "Apostle" means "the one who was sent." In modern terms, apostle means shepherd or missionary or ambassador of Christ (2Co 5:20). Jesus designated his disciples as apostles from the beginning in the hope of raising them as shepherds of God s flock. What was the first stage of his discipleship training? Verse 14 says, that they might be with him. Jesus did not try to fix them overnight through an intensive workshop or a series of lectures. Jesus gave them enough time to be with him and have firsthand experience with Jesus. The disciples had the privilege to hear the words of life from Jesus own lips (1Jn 1:1). They saw Jesus miraculous healings with their own eyes. They witnessed Jesus life of prayer. They talked with Jesus and walked with Jesus. They had common life together with Jesus. There is a saying, If you want to know a person, take a long trip together. The more the disciples spent time with Jesus, the more they came to know who Jesus really was. By being with Jesus for three years, they were changed slowly and steadily. Selfish people became sacrificial; lazy people became diligent; men of hatred and competitive spirit became apostles of love, proud people became humble. Fearful people became courageous. Men of despair became men of hope. Galilean country boys became international shepherds of God s flock. How can we learn from Jesus and grow in him? We must be with Jesus. Well, Jesus is not here with us physically. However, we can have Jesus at the center of our hearts as our shepherd, teacher, Savior and Lord. 3

We can spend time with him through prayer. We can hear his words by studying the Bible and obey his words personally. We can deny ourselves and take our crosses and follow Jesus (Mk 8:34). We can have fellowship with those who know Jesus grace, his shepherd heart and hope. We also learn Jesus way of raising up his disciples. We must be with our Bible students, spending time with them. We must pray together; eat, sing, and play soccer together. We must not try to change them overnight. We must bear all their weaknesses with Jesus shepherd heart and hope. Then, did Jesus intend to keep them as his permanent sheep forever? No! Look at verse 14. He appointed twelve designating them apostles--and that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach... Jesus wanted them to learn of Jesus and to grow spiritually. Jesus wanted to send them out to preach to all peoples of all nations. Why is preaching necessary? Ro 10:14b says,...and how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? No one can believe the gospel and be saved if they have not heard it. No one can hear the gospel unless someone preaches it. Therefore, Jesus trained his disciples so that they could grow into excellent Bible teachers with spiritual power. Jesus trained them so that they could go to the whole world and preach his gospel to all creation (Mk 16:15). When we preach or teach the Bible to others, we can be useful in saving other s lives. When we teach the Bible to others, we come to know Jesus better. So the job of a disciple is to be with Jesus and to preach. And there s one more thing. Look at verse 15:...and to have authority to drive out demons. Disciples are supposed to have authority to drive out demons. This does not mean performing an exorcism. It means to help people who are suffering from all kinds of physical and mental problems. In the most fundamental sense, what every human being needs most is to be rescued from the power of sin and death and brought back to God. Whenever we preach the gospel of Jesus, evil spirits come out and try to block the way. Disciples of Jesus have to recognize the demons and drive them out. In driving out demons, there are no special techniques. Disciples of Jesus 4

receive authority from him to cast out demons. It is not the disciples, but the Holy Spirit, who is working through the disciples faith and prayer. Part III: The twelve apostles (16-19). Who were the twelve apostles? Look at verse 16: These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter)... Simon was a fisherman. Jesus did not look down on Simon because of his blue-collar job or lack of education. Jesus called him Peter, The Rock. Jesus had vision for Peter to provide a rock-solid foundation of leadership for his church. The new name signifies a new life and new birth. It signifies a transfer of hope. In the past, Simon s identity and hope were firmly rooted in the world. But now, as Peter, he placed his hope in Jesus and in God s eternal kingdom. Look at verse 17:...James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)... James and John were also fishermen. Jesus placed them in the second level of leadership, just below Peter. These two brothers are famous for their human ambition. They were determined to knock off Peter and sit in glory at Jesus right and left hand (10:37). They were also famous for being hottempered. Once, when they rejected by some Samaritans, they wanted to destroy the whole village with weapons of mass destruction (Lk 9:54). To the other disciples, James and John were annoying and obnoxious. But to Jesus they were cute. He really liked them. He called them Sons of Thunder. Look at verse 18:...Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot... This third level of apostles is widespread with contradictions. Philip was smart; Andrew was dumb and faithful. Matthew was a tax collector; Simon the Zealot wanted to kill tax collectors. In Jesus, these opposites could make peace and learn from one other. Thomas is famous for his persistent doubt. Bartholomew, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus are famous for their silence. Each one is unique. Each one is strange. Each one became truly great after Jesus called him by name. The calling of the twelve apostles gives us vision and hope that each of us is treasured by Jesus and can become great in Jesus. 5

Look at verse 19:...and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Jesus chose a betrayer. Did Jesus make a mistake? No. Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas was a devil (Jn 6:71). Calling this treacherous man would cause divisions in the ministry and cost Jesus his life. But Jesus called him anyway and loved him to the end. Jesus has done his job. Jesus has called us. Now it is our job to make a decision to accept this calling. Once you accept Jesus calling, your lives will never be the same. When I was a college student in 1984, Jesus called me to become a disciple. He called me not in a vacuum, but in the context of one branch of the body of Christ, in the University Bible Fellowship. Having observed the UBF ministry for a while, I knew exactly what would happen if I said yes. While everyone else was out on Friday night having a party, as a disciple I would share my Bible testimony with other Christians. During the week, while people were watching TV and idly chatting, as a disciple I would use my time to write my testimony and prepare Bible study notes. Choosing to follow God s calling in this ministry showed me that, in the Bible, my marriage was not for my own pleasure. It was to find a Godly woman and serve God, advancing his mission with my family. Finally I realized that Jesus calling as a disciple was for life. I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. For a young man to make a decision like that is incredibly difficult. But God helped me not to calculate. He helped me to entrust my whole life and future to Jesus. At that moment, I became one of Jesus disciples. Jesus gave me Mark 8:34 as my life key verse; If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Thank you, Jesus who did not abandon me to live as an ordinary man but called me as a disciple to live a mission centered life even though I am weak. * Conclusion: From this passage, we learn who we are. We are disciples of Jesus. We also learn why we are here. We are here because Jesus called us. We are all different. But the direction of life remains the same. We are called to be with Jesus, to preach his gospel, and to have authority to drive out demons. May God give each of us a deep conviction that we have been personally called by Jesus. May God raise up 12 committed disciples of Jesus through our upcoming summer conference. 6