Calling the Disciples
http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc08/htm/ii.xiv.ii.htm
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MATTHEW 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he
said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field."
o
The last three verses of
the ninth chapter of Matthew form the proper introduction to the Mission of the
Twelve, as is evident from the remarkable fact that the Mission of the Seventy
was prefaced by the very same words.
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Matthew 10:1-4 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave
them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and
sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is
called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother
John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son
of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed
him.
o
Apostle means “one who
is sent out” or “one sent forth; a messenger “ This does not come close
to defining what these men did. We can get a much better idea of their mission
when we look at the power and authority Jesus gave them.
·
Mark 3:13-19 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him
those he wanted, and they came to him. 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. These are the twelve he appointed:
Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter, James son of Zebedee and his brother
John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder) Andrew,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the
Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
o
It is good to remember
that Mark probably got his information from Peter.
o
This passage shows 12
followers of Jesus received a special appointment (apostle) from Jesus.
o
In this passage 3 of those designated apostle we given special
designations by Jesus. Simon was given the name Peter, meaning “man of rock”
James & John Zebedee were named “sons of thunder” These additional
designations give a good idea of some of their personal characteristics.
·
Luke 6: 12-16 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside
to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his
disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the
Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
o
This passage makes it
clear Jesus did not choose the 12 disciples as apostles until He consulted
(prayed) with the Father.
o
The work with which the day began shows what had been the
burden of the previous night’s
devotions. Here we find the Lord Himself in prolonged communion with His Father
in preparation for the solemn and very important appointment of those men who
were to give birth to His Church, and from whom the world in all time was to
take a new mold
·
Generally speaking, the character of Peter appears as an admirable
type of the Galilean, well-meaning, confiding, freedom-loving, and courageous,
yet changeable, capricious, and eager for novelty
·
It may seem strange that Jesus should have given the epithet of "Rock"
to one with Peter’s such character. Jesus
saw far beneath the surface and grasped the inherent strength and stability
that underlay the changing and inconstant exterior.
o
This term “the Rock” appears to have two meanings. The first and
most important refers to the confession Peter made that Jesus is the Messiah.
See
o
The second refers to Peter and his character and job for Christ.
Although he was somewhat changeable and seemed to have the philosophy of ready,
shoot, aim; once Peter knew and understood what was needed he absolutely would
not be moved. This served as a lighthouse to Christians, then and now. As
trials increased and a Christian might forfeit their life for their belief in
Christ they could look at Peter, a man like themselves, and his absolute belief
and trust in Jesus.
§
Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as
we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on
the earth by the space of three years and six months.
·
I have included this
passage because the message is very important. Peter was no different that are
we. He had his Good and bad moments. His faith seemed to waver, especially ay
first, but the longer he traveled on with Christ the stronger and unwavering
his faith became. He grew in his faith, just as we do.
·
Peter did not prove unworthy of this confidence; his trust became
ardent devotion; and his quick resolution was strengthened and steadied.
·
In the account of his walking on the water his instability of
character, even after being long under the influence of Jesus, comes clearly to
the front; while his denial of Christ still more strongly marks his wavering
and his weakness. Both of these reflect typical human characteristics.
·
Peter had already shown himself worthy of his title, as when at
Caesarea Philippi he boldly declared Jesus to be the Christ, not a mere
precursor of the Messiah especially as this was the very time when many,
disappointed in Jesus, were abandoning him.
·
The faith of Peter was not uncommingled with hopes of the earthly
power and glory of Christ, and from the first foreshadowing of the sufferings
of Christ, made at Csesarea Philippi, until their close the alternate strength
and weakness of Peter appear in ever-increasing clearness.
·
On the mount of transfiguration Peter again wanted to make
permanent the glory there apocalyptically revealed.
·
Typical was his desire to extend forgiveness as far as possible,
though he still fell far short of the Christian ideal and the same statement
holds true of the words in which he reminds Christ how both he and the other
disciples had left all to follow him.
·
In the scene recorded in John 13:6 Peter’s impetuosity is revealed,
as well as a certain lack of understanding of the love of Jesus which was to
reach its culmination in the passion.
·
Immediately afterward he vowed, despite the prophecy of the denial,
to remain faithful to Jesus even unto death. But he had overestimated his
strength, nor could he even keep awake for his master's sake in Gethsemane
·
Peter drew his sword when Jesus was seized but when he saw that
this was useless, he fled with the other disciples.
·
He made his way into the palace of the high priest, where he was
put to the real test, only to deny Jesus with the utmost vehemence.
·
In all this he never lost faith in Christ for an instant, and when
he became aware of what he had done, his remorse and shame, while finally
purifying his character, kept him away from Christ until after the
resurrection.
·
John 21:15-17 15When they had finished
eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love
me more than these?" Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love
you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16Again
Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered,
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of
my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon
son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the
third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
o
I have included this
verse because I feel it has been misunderstood by many. I was taught that Jesus
was asking if Peter loved Him more than the other disciples did. I have come to
the realization Jesus was asking Peter if Peter loved him more than he loved
the fish. The question seems to be do you love me more than you do your job.
Peter loved fishing and supported his family by fishing. Does Peter love Jesus
enough to step out on faith and put everything else second to Jesus. It is the
same question Jesus asks us.
o
Remember, Jesus does not
want to know if a person loves Him more or less than another person. Jesus is
interested in the individual and what the individual does with the salvation
message
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