Scripture Reading: Mark 3:13-19
He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Reflection
Simon, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, another James, another Simon, and Judas. What a strange assortment of people. Four fishermen, one tax collector, one political radical, and six other men whose names never appear again in Mark’s gospel except to reveal one as a betrayer. These were twelve men who changed the world, even Judas, because he too played a part in the story of salvation. How did they get to become world-changers? Well, we see there is a progression here.
First, Jesus calls them. And they come. Second, Jesus names them apostles. The word apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos, which means to be sent. Third, they are called “to be with him.” During this time, they will live with him, and they will learn from him. And then, fourth, they will be sent out to proclaim the message of salvation with all the authority they need to work miracles in the name of Jesus. We see how effectively and powerfully they do this in the Acts of the Apostles. Through them, Christ is proclaimed throughout the world.
Cut to the present. Jesus is still calling to him those he wants, not necessarily to be his apostles because he has many portfolios to fill. Paul says that God called some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, some teachers — but all with a common purpose: to build the body of Christ (see Ephesians 4:11-13). He also wants us to walk in the power of the apostles of old. But for this, we need to answer his call to follow him, then be with him, before finally going out like the apostles were sent, with the message of salvation.
Have you heard his calling? No? Well, listen to it now because he is speaking to you at this very moment in time, and he is saying: “Come.” You don’t need me to tell you that we are a broken people living in a broken world. There is only one thing that can bring healing to both the world and those who live in it, and that is love. But it has to be a divine love that is filled with patience and kindness. A love that is not envious, or boastful, or proud. A love that does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. A love that keeps no record of wrongs. If we remain with Jesus, he will teach us to love like this.
Do you need healing? Do you want to heal the world? Then come. Jesus is calling.
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Today's devotional — When Jesus Calls — is based on Mark 3:13-19, the gospel reading for the day. The reflection is by Aneel Aranha, founder of Holy Spirit Interactive (HSI). Follow him on Facebook: fb.com/aneelaranha
