48. Jesus selects the twelve disciples
– Mark 3:13-19 & Luke 6:12-16
Mark 3:14-15 “He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
Jesus chose 12 disciples or apostles to follow him. These people would be his ambassadors who would share his message with the rest of the world. He did not chose these men because of their faith. In fact, their faith often faltered; Judas betrayed Jesus. He also didn’t chose them because of their talents. They were ordinary men. Instead, he chose them because of their willingness to follow him. Jesus doesn’t call the qualified, he calls the obedient. God shows his power through our weaknesses. The more we are lacking, the more he can step in and show his strength. Never limit yourself because of your abilities. There are no limitations too great for God. God can and will use you. All you have to do is be willing to obey his call.
Luke 6:12 “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
Before every great step in Jesus’ life, he went off to pray to God. If prayer was important to the Son of God, how much more important is it for us to pray? Jesus was fully God, yet he still sought guidance from the father. Jesus was all knowing, yet he still spent time with God. In fact, Jesus spent whole nights praying to God. Prayer is powerful. How great is it that we are given the ability to speak with the creator of the universe? Before Jesus, only a great priest would be able to speak with God once a year. Now, we can speak to God at any time no matter who you are. Take advantage of the opportunity that God has given to you. Who better to speak to than the one who is all knowing? Who better to ask help from than the one who is all powerful? Who better to cry out to than the one who is the ultimate comforter?
