Today’s Reading: Mark 3:13-19; Matthew 9:35-38;Psalm 25

Jesus touched so many lives as massive crowds formed around him in each town he visited. Yet with all the needs pressing in around him, his focus remained on his investment in the lives of twelve.

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 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. – Mark 3:13-19

The twelve Jesus appointed are often referred to as the twelve disciples or the apostles. Disciples were students and followers, while apostles were specially commissioned representatives. I would argue that today we are all both disciples and apostles.

TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IS TO BE A STUDENT OR A FOLLOWER.

God has called us all to be students of the Word, to sit at His feet regularly and learn from Him. We spend time reading the Bible and we walk away with new understanding. His word is living and active and we cannot help but be changed by studying the Scriptures. We have so much to learn and we have a Great Teacher who loves His students.

We also learn by listening to other students of the Word or disciples. What a great investment of our time to read a book written by another follower of Christ or to listen to the teachings of a great preacher! We listen and call on the Spirit to discern the truth of the message, allowing our hearts to grow and be transformed through the words God has given those He has called. When I question something I am reading, God’s word is the foundation of truth that I go back to each time.

Even pastors and preachers benefit from spending time listening to others and reading. Posturing ourselves as the student helps all of us find the humility God is calling us to. We have not already arrived. We do not know all there is to know. We desperately need to keep learning in order to increase our understanding of God’s ways.

TO BE AN APOSTLE IS TO BE SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED TO REPRESENT JESUS & FULFILL HIS PURPOSE.

Hopefully we agree that we are all disciples or students of the Word, but I would argue that we are also all apostles. If the definition of apostle is a person who is specially commissioned to represent something or someone, then that is absolutely what we are. God has chosen every one of us for a specific purpose today. He has a plan and we have a choice. We can walk into that plan with the willingness to represent Jesus and fulfill His purpose for our day, or we can focus on our own desires and plans. I can build the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of me.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:35-38

Lord, this morning I pray that you would open up my heart and show me your purpose today. Confirm in my heart what you have called me to do. Remind me WHO I have been specially commissioned to represent. God, I open up my life with a willingness today to be used by you, whether in small ways or large. Today is about you and your plan. Teach me. Show me. Use me. Guide me. Amen.

O Lord, I give my life to you.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. – Psalm 25:1-10

Today’s Reading: Mark 3:7-12; Luke 6:12-19

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. – Mark 3:7-8

Word was spreading of Jesus’ healing power and people were bringing their sick from all over the region. Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds followed. Some were genuinely seeking to follow Christ, and some were only there to be entertained.

THEY CAME TO SEE JESUS DO SOMETHING GREAT, NOT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT FOR JESUS.

Jesus touched many lives as these massive crowds formed. There was so much to do and so many people who needed his healing touch, but Jesus intentionally pulled away from the crowds and found time to be alone with His Father.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: Simon (whom he called Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (Son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). – Luke 6:12-16

After spending an extended amount of time in God’s presence and in prayer, Jesus called all of his followers together and distinguished between those who would be disciples and those who would be the twelve apostles. Don’t miss that he made this decision AFTER going to the Father in prayer.

It is easy for us to fall into the trap of working hard for the Lord without taking time to be alone with the One who gives us purpose. We think of all who are depending on us to get something done or to accomplish something great, and we make everything else a priority over intentionally creating periods of sabbath rest. We hit a point of pure exhaustion and start making critical decisions when we are mentally worn out. Jesus is saying — “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

IF WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT FOR JESUS, WE NEED TO ALLOW JESUS TO DO SOMETHING GREAT WITHIN US. THEN JESUS WILL DO SOMETHING GREAT THROUGH US.

When we are rooted in Christ and filled with His presence, we are ready to be used by Him. We can be more effective for the work God is calling us to do if we go to Him with all of our decisions. He fills us with His power and equips us for the call. Even Jesus knew that he needed time on the mountain with the Father before stepping into the crowds. If Jesus needed that, we definitely need it today.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” – John 15:5-8

God, we are grateful for this time on the mountain. We come to you with hearts willing to be used by you today. Thank you for all that you have done for us, for all you are doing in us, and for all you plan to do through us. May our hearts align with yours this week as we stay connected to you, allowing you to fill us and use us according to your purposes and for your glory. Amen.

When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the sea coasts of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone. – Luke 6:17-19