A Special Commission
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Luke 6:12-19
12. In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13. And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles; 14. Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15. and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16. and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17. And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; 18. and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all.
The section heading for these few verses in my bible is
"The Twelve Apostles.” Luke, almost parenthetically tells the story of Jesus selecting from his ever-growing number of followers a select group whom he designates as apostles. My bible notes define apostles as “ones sent with a special commission.” Throughout the months (possibly years?) that Jesus had traveled throughout the region, he had observed his “group” and noticed those who stood out--either because of their command of words, their ability to think on their feet -- or most probably, those with passion; a fire in their eyes. He didn’t go about recruiting as if he were looking for “the best and the brightest” as the military might. He wasn’t looking for the most charismatic and charming from among this group.
No, from all accounts I’ve read of those twelve, he selected the seemingly most unlikely to be designated apostles. They were plagued with sibling rivalry, brash demeanors, lobbying for the position of “most honored” and on an on. They sound just like us, don’t they--just “regular people?” And yet Jesus selected them! Of course he had seen in all of their “more admirable” qualities as well. He had probably observed that these, of all his followers, were quick to lend a helping hand to one in need. And they were fiercely loyal to Jesus. And they had a strength of character and a willingness to endure want out of that loyalty.
You see, we can’t be apostles sitting in church. We can’t pen a check to our favorite charity and work at the soup kitchen a few times a year and send our children to vacation bible school and call ourselves apostles. These men were willing to head out to the countryside, obediently taking nothing but the clothes on their backs. In other words, they trusted the word of Jesus. They believed him and they believed in him. And because of that belief, they risked everything and gave up everything for him. Remember, this was
before the crucifixion and resurrection!
These were twelve “ordinary” men on an extraordinary mission! And they had a fire in their bellies, and a light in their eyes. And when others saw them coming, they must have been curious, feeling a sense of anticipation, then of wonder and awe as they healed and preached and then moved on. No wonder word spread throughout the countryside! These men were not magicians! They were not taking any of the credit for themselves! Who was this “Jesus?” How could they meet him? They must been confused and yet fascinated by the message the apostles delivered to them! And unable to turn away. And forever changed by their words.
Today it is more difficult to be an apostle, in some ways. Our part of the world is so sophisticated and complicated! We can’t very well give up everything we have and risk it all for anyone -- even Jesus! Could we? Would you? Would I? We are all called to be apostles. Once we believe, we are commissioned to preach the good news to all the world. Perhaps it means that we live our lives with a fire in our bellies and light in our eyes that will cause others to ask us the reason and the source. Will you be ready to answer with power and with truth?
My prayer today is that you seize every opportunity to spread the good news of the Risen Christ. And that you fan the flame of that fire in your belly by seeking God’s strength, wisdom and power for every part of your life.
Mary
