This world is in a mess. Short story. It was in a mess when Jesus was a young man just beginning his ministry here on Earth. He became immensely popular. But what were their motives for following this young man?
No so good when you read about it. People were coming from everywhere. Even without technology, news travels fast. Mark 1:28 says, “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.” Why? Because even the “unclean spirits” obey him (v. 27). Next Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law (v. 31).
That’s all it took. After that people from everywhere were showing up to be healed. The press on Jesus was so great that he had to have a small ship standing by to withdraw to just to be able to preach (Mark 3: 9). Because of his great love, Jesus healed many. But he didn’t come to Earth to heal infirmities. He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Jesus probably thought that day, “The harvest truly is great…” (Luke 10:2). There was much that needed to be done. He was limited by his physical body. He needed helpers, “…but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). Jesus goes up into a mountain and takes with him the ones he invites. While there, he ordains twelve. The ones that we know as the Twelve Disciples (Mark 3:14).
First, though, he calls them to be with him. Later he will send them to preach. And then to have power to heal and cast out devils. His ministry was carried on by the Twelve. Through Jesus and them the message of God’s love, mercy, grace, and salvation has been carried on down all these generations. (From the crucifixion to today it would be 81 or 101 depending on how you want to count it, 25 or 20 years.)
The world is in a mess. We already have the message of Jesus Christ our Savior. What we need now is for more Christians to be with Jesus and then to follow his call. That’s what the Twelve did. And it made all the difference.
No so good when you read about it. People were coming from everywhere. Even without technology, news travels fast. Mark 1:28 says, “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.” Why? Because even the “unclean spirits” obey him (v. 27). Next Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law (v. 31).
That’s all it took. After that people from everywhere were showing up to be healed. The press on Jesus was so great that he had to have a small ship standing by to withdraw to just to be able to preach (Mark 3: 9). Because of his great love, Jesus healed many. But he didn’t come to Earth to heal infirmities. He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Jesus probably thought that day, “The harvest truly is great…” (Luke 10:2). There was much that needed to be done. He was limited by his physical body. He needed helpers, “…but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). Jesus goes up into a mountain and takes with him the ones he invites. While there, he ordains twelve. The ones that we know as the Twelve Disciples (Mark 3:14).
First, though, he calls them to be with him. Later he will send them to preach. And then to have power to heal and cast out devils. His ministry was carried on by the Twelve. Through Jesus and them the message of God’s love, mercy, grace, and salvation has been carried on down all these generations. (From the crucifixion to today it would be 81 or 101 depending on how you want to count it, 25 or 20 years.)
The world is in a mess. We already have the message of Jesus Christ our Savior. What we need now is for more Christians to be with Jesus and then to follow his call. That’s what the Twelve did. And it made all the difference.
