DAY THIRTEEN | FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Mark 3: 13-19
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
REFLECTION
Let us reflect for a moment on our previous passages when Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, when he saw a group of fishermen who were working hard to catch fish. He knew that these men were not just ordinary people, but they had a special purpose in their lives. They were going to be the ones who would carry on his mission after he was gone. So, he chose twelve of them and called them to be his disciples.
Jesus intentionally selected these twelve men to be his closest companions and followers. He didn't choose them because of their status, education, or wealth. In many ways they were just ordinary. Over and over in Scripture we see that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The disciples were not famous or influential people, but they were willing to follow Jesus and do whatever he asked of them. God can use anyone who is willing to submit themselves to his will and follow his commands.
Similarly, God has a unique purpose and plan for each one of us. He has called us to a specific task, and he wants us to fulfill that task with all our heart. Just like the disciples, we may not know what God has in store for us, but we can trust that he has a plan for our lives.
But, being a disciple of Jesus requires sacrifice. The disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus. They left their homes, families, and careers to be with him. Following Jesus requires us to let go of the things that hold us back and fully commit ourselves to him.
God has a plan for our lives, and he wants us to follow him with all our heart. May we be willing to sacrifice everything to follow him and become his disciples.
Mark 3: 13-19
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
REFLECTION
Let us reflect for a moment on our previous passages when Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, when he saw a group of fishermen who were working hard to catch fish. He knew that these men were not just ordinary people, but they had a special purpose in their lives. They were going to be the ones who would carry on his mission after he was gone. So, he chose twelve of them and called them to be his disciples.
Jesus intentionally selected these twelve men to be his closest companions and followers. He didn't choose them because of their status, education, or wealth. In many ways they were just ordinary. Over and over in Scripture we see that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The disciples were not famous or influential people, but they were willing to follow Jesus and do whatever he asked of them. God can use anyone who is willing to submit themselves to his will and follow his commands.
Similarly, God has a unique purpose and plan for each one of us. He has called us to a specific task, and he wants us to fulfill that task with all our heart. Just like the disciples, we may not know what God has in store for us, but we can trust that he has a plan for our lives.
But, being a disciple of Jesus requires sacrifice. The disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus. They left their homes, families, and careers to be with him. Following Jesus requires us to let go of the things that hold us back and fully commit ourselves to him.
God has a plan for our lives, and he wants us to follow him with all our heart. May we be willing to sacrifice everything to follow him and become his disciples.