Jesus and His Disciples – Mark 3 v 13-19

Verse 13-14: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.”

Jesus is on a mountainside, assembling His disciples. He doesn’t host interviews or look at CV’s. He calls those He wants. And they come running.

Verse 15: “These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),”

Meet Simon whom Jesus renames Peter. Peter means rock and later on in the Gospel we find out why.

Verse 16: “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder),”

Next up, the dynamic duo—James and John, aka the Sons of Thunder. Can you imagine being given a title like that?

Verse 17: “Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,”

Now, the rest of the disciples come in—Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (another one), Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot.

Verse 18: “and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Judas Iscariot, who eventually betrays Jesus, is also a disciple.

Verse 19: “These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges),”

And Jesus repeats the list, just to make sure we know the disciples he has put together. It reminds us that Jesus is about personal invitations. Being chosen by Jesus is a personal and intentional thing.

And when we’re chosen, just like the disciples we will have a new purpose in our lives. He gave some of the disciples new names, which he might do with us, but he will give all of us a new purpose in our lives.

And Jesus will call a diverse crowd. Because it is now about looks or abilities or anything else, everyone Jesus calls is unique and they bring their uniqueness to Jesus’ family. Jesus call us to value the unique strengths each person brings, and navigates unexpected twists with trust in Jesus’ ultimate plan.