Jesus And His Disciples
Mark 3:13-19
As we have walked with Jesus throughout His travels throughout Jerusalem, Nazareth, Capernaum & the areas of Galilee, we have seen the personal call of James, John, Peter, Andrew & Levi to be Disciples of Christ.
Understand that at this point there were many who were following Jesus. But in these verses we read that Jesus “ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils”
There is much that we can learn from Christ’s first disciples. There are many similarities in their lives and hours. They were called by Christ Himself. He chose them, they did not choose Him. They were required to leave all and follow Him. They were witnesses of His many miracles. They were taught by Christ personally. They were persecuted for their faith. Their lives were changed from the moment they met Him. They were used by Christ to carry out His message and Ministry. All of these elements are true in the life of modern day followers of Christ.
Understand also that the term Disciple is not specific to those who would later be named as Apostles. Disciple – {G} (mathētēs - math-ay-tes') - a learner, that is, pupil.We are told in Acts 6:1 (That) …in those days, the number of the disciples was multiplied, The number of disciples is still being added to today! I hope that you are a disciple or a learner of Christ.
In our selected text we learn of some of the benefits in the life of a disciple of Christ. Join me as we consider this thought “Jesus And His Disciples”
I. Jesus Calls His Disciples - v13 and he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
When we choose a person for a task or a position, there are usually superficial reasons involved in the selection process. This is not the case with Jesus.
A. He Doesn’t Call Disciples Based On Wealth
Some may have possessed more than others but they were called to leave what they had to follow Him. Some mortal men may have a tendency to look at an individual’s financial situation and favor them over others because they think it may be beneficial to them personally.
I have heard of certain business owners and politicians who are given special treatment in churches because the leadership didn’t want to offend them and chance losing the financial benefit of that individual’s tithe. That was not the case with Jesus, He wasn’t concerned with what those that He called had, rather what they were willing to give up! - Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
B. He Doesn’t Call Disciples Based On Ability
Several of the Disciples were fishermen, One was a Publican, the others we are not told of their occupation. Jesus is not concerned with what you can do for Him, rather He looks at what He can do through you!
C. He Doesn’t Call Based On Popularity
Levi was a Publican, Tax collector Publicans collected the taxes, often they employed subordinates who were in many cases guilty of extortion. The taxes were given to the Romans and were viewed by the Jews as a very heavy burden. As a result the Publicans were many times Jews and were hated by their brethren
II. Jesus Teaches His Disciples - v14a And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him,
Jesus did not just choose some men to leave everything for no reason. …He had a plan for them. Notice the phrase “that they should be with Him” Remember Jesus’ initial call to these men when He said “follow me” The most important thing that these men could do was to simply “be with Jesus” Jesus taught these men by personal example. This required closeness, this required them being with Him! They watched Him, they heard Him, and lived with Him. As a result they learned from Him!
As Disciples of Christ we are called to be WITH JESUS! It is His desire that we become like Him, in order for that to happen we must be WITH JESUS! We are called to serve Him; if we are to be successful it will be because we are WITH JESUS!
These men witnessed Jesus teach in the synagogues with power & authority. They would be present when He preached the Sermon on the Mount. They were there as He gave his defenses against the constant attacks of the religious rulers. But I bet nothing was as special to them as those times, when it was just the 12 of them gathered by a campfire or on a boat somewhere listening to Jesus teach them in a more intimate setting away from the crowds.Friend, if you would just get alone with Jesus and spend time in prayer and time in the Word, His Holy Spirit will teach you things that will change your life!
Remember what James said in - James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.He wants you to draw nigh unto Him and if you will He will teach you, Just as He did the original 12! Jesus taught these men lessons about:Prophecy that had been fulfilled. Prophecies that would be fulfilled. The importance of Loving God. The Importance of loving one another. The importance of serving one another. He taught them how to share the Gospel. He taught them in order to prepare them for the task they had been selected for
That is what He wants to do for you today, to prepare and train you for the task you have been selected for! After calling them and while He was teaching them, Jesus commanded them.
III. Jesus Directs His Disciples – v14b and that he might send them forth
Jesus had called these 12 men to follow Him. He has ordained them that they should be with Him. He took the time to teach and train them for the task at hand. There was a time coming when Jesus would send these men out to do a great work in His name.
Jesus' plan for these men was to “preach”. “preach” literally means “to sound forth the message of the King.” What was the content of their message? It was the “Gospel of the Kingdom”.
We find an account of their service in - Mark 6:7 ¶And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
These men did the exact same things that we have witnessed Jesus do in the first three chapters of Mark.
1) They preached
2) They healed the sick
3) They cast out demons
As we look through the Word of God you will find that it was not just the original disciples who were to share this message. We find accounts of many others who proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ. Also if you will look through the Word of God you will not find at any point where followers of Christ have been relieved of this responsibility. This shows us that we are responsible as well!
Understand this, you cannot do this on your own!These fishermen could not have accomplished anything on their own! (Mark 6:7 says that {He} “ gave them power”) If you will fallow Him when He calls you, If you will listen as He teaches you, If you will go where He directs you ...then you can have a great impact on the Kingdom!
As we look to verse v14 we will see how disciples can accomplish the work of the Kingdom.
IV. Jesus Enables His Disciples - v14c to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
There is no way that anyone can truly preach, heal the sick or cast out demons in their own power. Remember the lame man at the Beautiful Gate? He was healed by Peter and John but Peter made it clear that it was done in and through the power of Jesus Christ! - Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
A. Jesus Enables Disciples Through Teaching – We have already seen how Christ taught these men in order to complete the task that He had called them to accomplish.
This all hinged on the fact that they were willing to be close to Jesus. They were near Him and He taught them.Are you willing to be close enough to Jesus for Him to teach you?
B. Jesus Enables Disciples Through The Holy Spirit – These men were filled with The Holy Spirit. Because of Him they accomplished many GREAT things in the name of Christ.
They healed the sick
They cast out demons
They preached the Gospel
They were used by God to do many wonderful things
Their lives had come so far from being simple fishermen and publicans.
Because of Christ they were transformed and spent the rest of their lives in service of their master. Ultimately they gave their lives for the cause of Christ.
You may think that you cannot be a disciple of Christ
You may feel that you could never accomplish anything for God
Trust me If He would use the men we have talked about tonight, He can use anyone who is willing to allow Him to!
Each of the men we have seen tonight failed Christ at one point or another
1) Peter Rebuked Christ - Matthew 16:21 ¶From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. (Jesus said Get thee behind Me Satan!)
2) Peter, James & John continued to fall asleep in the Garden even after Christ warned them to WATCH AND PRAY! -
3) The Disciples were on a boat in a storm and they all feared for their lives. They woke Christ and said “Master, Carest thou not that we perish?
4) Peter denied the Lord
These men were far from perfect but they were called specifically by Christ! They failed but Christ was faithful to rebuke, encourage and restore them when they failed.Jesus knew that He was dealing with imperfect fallible men. As a result of this fact, Christ took many occasions and taught His disciples. He still does the same today! So in closing, I ask you:
1) Are you a disciple of Christ?
2) Has your life been transformed by His amazing power?
3) If so, are you following your Master every hour of every day?
4) Are you accomplishing the task that He has set before you?
If you are a disciple you have the same opportunity as these men. Jesus Christ has called you, taught you, commanded you and enabled you to spread His message all over the world. If you are not a Disciple of Christ, He could be calling you today. If He is calling, answer the call and allow Him to completely transform your life and use you to be a witness to others.
