Daily Devotion

 

 

 

 

Here we see Jesus choosing His men. It is interesting to see why He chose them because it is for the same reason that He still wants, and needs this kind of people.

 

(1^st) Mark 3:14 tells us that He chose them that they might be with him. That means two things: (a) He chose them to be His friends. It is amazing that Jesus needed human friends. This illustrates Jesus' humanity. He was God, but for now, He was a man. (b) Jesus knew that His earthly life was coming to an end. He chose these men because He knew that His life would soon be over, and someone would have to carry His message around the world.

(2^nd) Jesus chose them from His disciples. The word "disciple" means "a learner". They were to be learners until He left them. For the three years, He was with them, they were learning. Every day was a learning session. The masses followed Him when it was possible, but the 12 were with Him night and day.

(3^rd) Jesus chose them to be His Apostles. The Greek word "Apostolos" means someone who is sent out. It can be used for an ambassador, and they were to be His ambassadors to the world. The Christian is ever sent to be an ambassador for Jesus, not only by His words, but by His life, and deeds.

 

Note these two things about the Twelve: (1^st) They were very ordinary men.   There was not a wealthy, nor a famous, nor an influential man among them; they had no special education; they were common folk. It is as if Jesus said, "Give me twelve ordinary men, and I will change the world." The work of Jesus is not in the hands of men whom the world calls great but in the hands of ordinary people.(2^nd) They were a strange mixture. To take but two of them---Matthew was a tax-collector, a traitor, and a renegade. Simon was a Zealot, and the Zealots were fanatical nationalists, who were sworn to assassinate every Roman they could. It is one of the miracles of the power of Jesus that Matthew the tax collector, and Simon the Zealot, could live at peace in the close company of the apostolic band. It is only in Jesus that we can solve the problems people from all over the world have in living together. If we really love Jesus, we will also love each other.

 

Life Application: How do you fit in a mixed crowd? Do you like being with a mix of people who are from all over the world, and who are unlike you? In Heaven, there won't be a distinction between people. We will all become one even though we will come from every race, nationality, and country.

 

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I am so thankful for the host of different people all over the world that You have allowed me to meet, and know. Many of them are now my dearest friends. Thank You that in Heaven people from all over the world will all be together as one. What a wonderful thought! Amen.