Mark 3

Mark 3

There were hundreds of people who followed Jesus around. Day after day, crowds would draw near to hear Him teach, so why then did he choose just 12 men to be considered his “apostles”? These 12 men represented the 12 tribes of Israel and would receive the most rigorous and intense training.

Jesus did not choose these 12 to represent Him because of their faith, talent, or ability. In many ways, these men were just ordinary people, often overlooked by society (Matthew 9:9, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:2-11). These men came from various backgrounds and life experiences; there was no reason these particular men stood out among those who were not chosen. However, the one characteristic that they all share is their willingness to walk in obedience. They listened to Jesus’ words and did as He said. Therefore, they were set apart.

When we put our faith in Christ, we experience two different types of “callings.” Similar to Jesus calling the disciples, one is a call to put our faith in Jesus. God moves in our hearts, enlightens our minds, and illuminates His word to reveal to us the truth of salvation. If we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, then we will be saved. The second calling we experience after giving our life to Christ is a call to service. Just as Jesus commands the disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19), Jesus also commands us to go into the world and share the gospel's good news. Sometimes that involves moving or refining your skill, and sometimes that means being faithful to pursue those rights in your household. But the call is the same for all of us, that we are to use our lives to proclaim the name of Jesus.

Where do you need to walk according to God’s call on your life?

Who can you share the Gospel with this week?