Do you think there is a difference between being a believer and being a disciple of Christ?
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot,[a] 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted—The image of the ‘mountain’ would have brought Moses to mind for Mark’s Jewish readers. It was on the mountain that God called, revealed Himself, and gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.
The ‘Mountain’ was a place of revelation and commission for Moses and now Jesus was calling twelve disciples and revealing their designation as apostles to the church He would build through them.
Jesus called and they came—Jesus does the calling into ministry and we are to obey this calling.
Moses spent the first 40 years of his life learning about God from his birth mother, and how to govern Egypt from Pharaoh. At the age of 40 he attempted to deliver one Jewish slave from oppression which led to murder, which led to the next 40 years lived in exile as a shepherd. At 80 years of age, Moses did not believe that he was worthy to fulfill the call and commission of the Lord. The Lord God is patient with those whom he calls unto himself. He assured Moses that He would be with him as went to demand that Pharaoh let his people go! Jesus calls, but we must come! Jesus sends, but we must go!
But why did Jesus call twelve disciple to himself?
Just as the Lord set apart twelve tribes from the sons of Jacob so the Lord set apart twelve disciples.
WHY DOES JESUS CALL US TO BE DISCIPLES?
SO WE WILL STAY CLOSE TO HIM!
The primary function of discipleship is be with Jesus! To stay close to him! Jesus wants a close relationship with those whom he calls to follow him! Jesus calls illustrated this relationship with image of the vine and the branches:
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me… 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to My Fathers glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples” (Jn 15:4, 7-8 BSB).
All power and authority come from Jesus—remain –Abide in his presence!
SO WE CAN BE SENT OUT!
A disciple is not only called to be with the Lord, but also to be sent out from the Lord into the world as his ambassadors! We are to actively represent Jesus to the world! This essential to Jesus’ discipleship program. In the beginning, the disciples followed him wherever he went, but as they learned from him, Jesus also sent them out to do the very same things he did!
Do you have an active sense of being sent in the world to make Christ known? Can one really consider themselves a disciple if they only represent Christ while at church? Isn’t that only playing church?
There seems to a season when Christ calls a new believer out of the world, into his church, so they can learn and grow spiritually. But then there is always season when they are sent out into the world to represent Christ. Those who miss this season seem to grow up spiritually deformed!
SO WE WILL PREACH GOSPEL!
In this passage, Mark list reasons why we are sent out. The first is to preach the Gospel! To declare salvation through Jesus Christ!
“How then can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15 BSB).
SO WE WILL ACT IN HIS AUTHORITY!
The second reason Mark gives for being sent out is to act in Jesus’ authority. To have authority to drive out demons! Jesus’ earthly ministry consisted of three primary activities, (1) preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God, (2) casting out demons, and (3) healing sickness and disease. Jesus casted out demons everywhere he went—and he expected his disciples to do the same in his authority!
Churches today have become educational institutions! My wife and I (Philip too) have attended several churches over the last five years. We have been so discouraged to see the lack of prayer! The lack of faith in God’s presence! Sing 3-4 songs, hear a message and go home until next week! The lack of authority in Jesus name!
But much of what Jesus’ focus was upon that which had to be demonstrated in order to learn! They had to follow Jesus, see him act in his authority, and then practice moving in his authority!
BUT WHAT IF I AM NOT ALL THAT?
You might be saying to yourself, “Who am I to preach and act in the authority of Christ?”
Simon (Peter) and Andrew, James, and John were fishermen! They were common working class guys! Matthew was a tax collector and he was despised for it! Thomas was a doubter—He refused to believe Jesus rose from the dead until he could put his finders in the nail holes on his hands!
Peter the one whom Jesus called the Rock, and appointed as the leader denied Christ on the night he was betrayed three times, the final time was to a little girl.
Judas was the only one who failed as a disciple—he betrayed Jesus, then took his own life!
JESUS MAKES DISCIPLES!
Let’s take a step back here: Mark tells us, “Jesus appointed twelve” (v.16). The word ‘appointed’ is only half of its meaning in Greek. To appoint is to select and raise up from the existing group. But the verb (epoiesen) is the same used in Gen 1:1 (LXX), “In the beginning God made heaven and earth.” It signifies that the Twelve were a new creation! Discipleship does not consist in what disciples can do for Christ in their own strength, talents or abilities. Discipleship is about what the Lord can make of his disciples! Discipleship is about being, moving and acting as a new creation! A new species!
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! (2Co 5:17).
Look at this account of these ordinary men, made into new creations, and filled with the Holy Spirit. They are standing in the court of the Sanhedrin after having healed a man born lame and preaching in the name (authority) of Jesus Christ:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
The disciples that Jesus wants, are the ones He makes, new creations, out of ordinary men and women! The ones who will remain with Jesus!
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