HILLSIDE APPOINTMENT OF THE TWELVE
The Lamb’s Book
Thursday, 22nd February, 2024.
Mark 3:13-19 AMP - He went up on the hillside and called those whom He Himself wanted and chose; and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve [disciples], so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives], 15 and to have authority and power to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and [He also appointed] Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew (Nathanael), and Matthew (Levi the tax collector), and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus (Judas the son of James), and Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
The Lambs’ lessons
1. Vs 13 Jesus is interested in making many disciples. When the crowds that followed Him increased, He made a conscious effort to chose and select amongst them those He wanted. First we see that he made a conscious effort to withdraw from those who loved to see a withered hand ( no opportunity or passion to work) on a Sabbath day, to be with His disciples near the sea, after which more crowds began to come around. And then next, we see that He begins to make stronger steps towards confirming His selected and closer disciples. Although you may start out as one of the lost-in-the-crowd admirers of Jesus, decide to become one of the closer ones out of the whole lot of people who follow Him.
2. Vs 13-15 Those whom Jesus chose and wanted had three characteristics:
a. they were willing to be with Jesus and take instructions from Him.
b. they were willing to be sent out by Jesus to do various chores and preach in various places.
c. they were willing to fight and oppose demons and evil forces so Jesus was happy to give them the power and authority for that.
In order to be drawn nearer to God, you have to deeply have the humility that shows you are ready to learn from Jesus, be used and sent by Him, and to fight against your own sin and the presence of evil in other people’s lives whom Jesus wants to set free.
3. Vs 16 He appointed a specific number of disciples who were to always be with him. He appointed twelve disciples. You should also be able to determine the number of people you bring close to yourself, to mentor and teach and to send out to do good works.
4. Mark 3:16-19 The names of the twelves disciples are well delineated. You must know the names of the twelve disciples Jesus chose. If he knew them by name, you should know them by name too.
I. Simon Peter
II. James, the son of Zebedee ( Boanerges that is, “Sons of Thunder”)
III. John the brother of James ( Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”)
IV. Andrew
V. Philip
VI. Bartholomew (Nathanael)
VII. Matthew (Levi the tax collector)
VIII. Thomas
IX. James the son of Alphaeus
X. Thaddaeus (Judas the son of James)
XI. Simon the Zealot
XII. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
5. Vs 16,17- He renamed some of his disciples. He renamed Simon Peter and the sons of Zebedee, James and John as Boanerges, meaning “sons of Thunder”. Jesus can give you a new name as you follow Him.
Revelation 2:17 AMP - He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a NEW NAME engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’
6. Vs 16, 17, 18 Jesus appointed siblings to be in His team. We must desire to do the work of the Lord together with our siblings. James and John were siblings; they were both sons of Zebedee. Peter and Andrew were siblings; they were both sons of Jonah.
