Theme: Calling of Twelve Disciples
Text: Matthew 10:1-4 (Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, John 1:35-46)
Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!
Introduction: On the first Sunday, I spoke about the calling of the first disciples based on the monthly theme of call & cost of the discipleship (Matthew 4:18-22). We learned their instant obedience, in-depth involvement and indebted loyalty. Today I would like to talk about the calling of the Twelve.
They became the pioneering leaders of the New Testament ecclesia. No one was a biblical scholar or Rabbi. They had no extraordinary skills. Neither religious nor refined, they were ordinary people, taking care of their daily works.
Church History of Eusebius Book 3, the history of Jews by Josephus, Acts of the Apostles, Traditional sources of Orthodox Churches explain the life and death of the twelve disciples.
Today, let’s know about Their aptitudes, their aspirations and their accomplishments.
1. Their aptitudes and attitudes
Aptitudes means talent gift, flair, bent, skill, knack, facility, finesse, genius; ability, proficiency, competence, capability, potential, capacity, faculty; expertise, expertness, adeptness, prowess, mastery, artistry; propensity, inclination, natural ability, suitability, fitness; head, mind, brain.
Before choosing the Twelve, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer and in the morning, He called His disciples to Him and chose them, whom He also named them apostles. (Luke 6:12-13). Jesus selected the twelve to represent 12 tribes and to judge the Twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).
The finalisation of the Twelve was after his two years of Ministry as per John 6:4 herby Passover. Luke records that he chose the Twelve before the sermon on the mount (Luke 6:13,17, Mark 6:7). He also has seventy auxiliaries to carry out his work.
We find the names of the disciples in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19 and Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:21-26. The twelve are named in the following order as final list by Luke: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John the son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Thaddeus or Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot latter replaced by Matthias.
But, Matthew and mark has little change in the order of the presentation. However, their order of calling differs. We can group them into three categories: First six, then four and finally two.
First six are:
Simon Peter was the first disciple in the synoptic gospels. Jesus gave Simon the surname Cephas which in Aramaic signified a rock or a stone (John 1:42). This was translated into Greek as Petros. In English it is Peter.
Gospel of John projects Andrew as a first disciple. Andrew comes from Andreas means man or manly.
James comes from Lakobos means Jacob. John and James were called as sons of Thunder.
John means God is gracious.
Philip comes from Philippos means Lover of horses. Bartholomew ("friend of Philip", “Gospel of John refers him as Nathanael") from bartholomaios means Son of Talmai, Talmai means plowman. These six have come from Bethsaida.
Second four are:
Matthew ("the publican", "or Levi") comes from Maththaios means gift of Yahweh; he was also called Levi.
Thomas from Aramaic te’oma means ‘twin’.
James son of Alphaeus means short.
Judas or Thaddaeus Greek meaning is gift of God but in Aramaic, it means Beast.
The last two are:
Simon the Zealot was from the rebellious party of Judas of Galilee who rebelled against Roman taxing. Simon was an ex-zealot (Heb: Simeon means hearing, he is from Kananite) Simon (Greek name) means flat nosed.
Judas comes from Judah (praise Yahweh), Iscariot is a Hebrew word ‘Ish Kerioth‘means ‘a man from Kerioth.’
We see that Jesus had people with two extremes disciples: a tax gatherer and a tax hater. An anti-Jewish patriot and a patriot. Jesus had loving disciples John and Bartholomew as well as the thunderous James. Jesus had simple fishermen like Andrew, Simon Peter, John and James as well as learned publican Mathew, Simon the zealot and Judas.
Jesus also had secret disciples such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
What is your name, aptitudes, and attitudes?
2. Their aims and aspirations
Jesus called his disciples one by one at various occasions from their various vocations. It looks alike that they wanted to follow Jesus. But their aims were differing from one another. There are three occasions the disciples had greatest arguments, rivalry and fights over their status with Christ.
When we read Luke 9:43-50, Matthew 18:1-5, and Mark 9:30-41, show their real aims and problems. Luke 9:46 presents their arguments over who will be greatest; Mark 10:33-45 shows fight for the chairs on the right and left (37) all became indignant (41); third time during the Lord’s supper, they were worried about their seating arrangements. John 13, Luke 22:24 rivalry among them who is counted the greatest. Sometimes, we fight for the seat during the photograph. What is the distance between the main person and to me? Where am I seated is a prominent or not?
‘Every disciple is tested as to whether the desire for temporal good or fellowship with Christ is strongest. All disciples expected to do the sacrifice according to their status and level. The leaving of the boats by Peter, Andrew, James and John are equivalent to the leaving of the Government job by Levi Matthew and the zealot, Judas Iscariot. No man can succeed in the service of God unless his whole heart is in the work of God and counts all things less excellency of the knowledge of Christ.’(Ellen G White).
Jesus separated ''the twelve'' for special training so they can overcome their petty aims and aspirations. He equipped them, empower them to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. He taught them to face the crisis, difficult times and being faithful civilians.
Jesus trained them under an open university, a mobile institute, they were not taught under class room setups but in the midst of real people groups. They were not placed in temple rather on the street setting. The place where christ dwelled became their training centre and holy temple, they were with holy influence of Jesus Christ. His teachings came in midst of his presence with nature, beauty and greenfield world.
He selected them to be with him, at all times, in all places, his travelling companions in all his wanderings, and witnessing all his work. Discipleship means to follow him as a practicing disciple, and pleasing disciple.
Jesus taught them that they must be the workers of of his company to save the world with God. Thus far, Jesus laboured single-handedly, doing his miracles, doing his ministries were limited to space and time. But now, the Twelve became apostolate to carry the message to all over the world. They were not his employees, menial workers but equal partners to represent his values, teachings and love. In Acts 5:41 they were happy to be persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Jesus formed them as the backbone of the church and gave them the most extraordinary task of calling the entire world, including the mightiest empires to repentance and faith in the risen Christ.
3. Their accomplishments and altitudes
These twelve disciples were appointed as Apostles (Apostolos), which meant the one who is sent out with a special commission as an ambassador with fully authorised representative. The apostles are generally listed in order of importance and paired according to their associations.
We learned their aptitudes, attitudes as:
Simon Peter- the rocky man
Andrew - manly, brave man
James and John- sons of thunders
Philip - the earnest inquirer
Bartholomew- the guileless Israelite
Thomas - the melancholy
Matthew- the publican
Labbaeus, Thaddeus, Judas of Jesus - three named disciple
Simon - the zealot, the fighter
Judas, the man of Kerioth - the betrayer or traitor.
Peter was first among equals. He was Known for his fervent faith and leadership such as walking on water at Jesus' command, after resurrection he had prominent leadership in the early church is seen through his bold proclamation of the Gospel at Pentecost. Peter appears to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion. And at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer in this way. He denied Christ during the crucifixion shows his fear and weakness.
Andrew means manly, had encountered John the Baptist and subsequently met Jesus and recognised him as the Messiah. Andrew was the first disciple to follow Jesus, and first evangelist to share gospel with his brother Peter. Andrew brought a young lad with five loaves and two fishes to Jesus, which Jesus then miraculously multiplies to feed five thousand people (John 6). Andrew preached in regions such as Scythia, Greece, and Asia Minor. According to early Christian writings, Andrew's martyrdom came in Patras, Greece, where he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, now known as Saint Andrew's Cross. His legacy lives on as the patron saint of several countries, including Scotland, Russia, and Greece.
James, the son of Zebedee, was part of Jesus' inner circle. He witnessed key events in Jesus' ministry, the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. His fiery zeal and dedication to Jesus earned him the nickname "Boanerges”(thunder). He became a prominent leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem and played a significant role in the spread of the Gospel. He was executed by Herod Agrippa I about 44 AD (Acts 12:2).
John was a closest disciple of Jesus, part of the inner circle of disciples, leans on Jesus' chest at the Last Supper. He wrote the Gospel of John, three Epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Book of Revelation. He lived in Ephesus along with Mary the mother of Jesus (John 19:25-27). During Domitian's persecution in the middle '90s, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. An early Latin tradition states that he was thrown into drum of boiling oil to fry him but he came out unhurt. He died a natural death from old age.
Philip means "lover of horses." He was from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew. He was one of the first disciples Philip is depicted in the New Testament as a thoughtful and inquisitive individual, eager to understand and share Jesus' teachings. In John 14:8–9, Philip asks Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” He invited Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew). Philip preached the Gospel in various regions, including Phrygia in Asia Minor, where he is said to have performed miracles and converted many to Christianity. He had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and Asia Minor. He converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. So, Philip was arrested and cruelly put to death.
Nathaniel or Bartholomew is Bar Talmai (the son of Talmai). He traveled extensively to spread the teachings of Christ, as far as India, Armenia, Ethiopia, and Mesopotamia. In Armenia, he is particularly revered for his missionary efforts and is considered one of the patron saints of the country. Bartholomew was either beheaded or flayed alive.
Matthew worked as a tax collector in Capernaum. Matthew continued to spread the Gospel, reportedly traveling to preach in areas such as Ethiopia, Persia, and Parthia. He was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
Thomas (John 11:16, 20:24-25). Parthia was allotted to Thomas as his field of labor. But he came to India. St. Thomas mount stands as a witness to his work, and death in India. He was killed by the religious fanatics of his day. The Marthoma tradition says that Thomas died by stabbing at the hands of four soldiers.
James the son of Alphaeus was known as James the lesser to differentiate him from the James, the son of Zebedee. in the New Testament to further differentiate him from the other James.
Labbaeus, Thaddeus, Judas of Jesus - three named disciple. Judas Thaddeus, a man of many names in the Bible, Sometimes referred to as Jude, Judas, or Lebbaeus, Thaddeus is sometimes overlooked by Christians since not much is known or written about him in Scripture. John 14:22 asked a valuable question. By some accounts, Thaddeus took the gospel north to Edessa, a city in Mesopotamia in what is now modern-day Turkey. Some records even describe Thaddeus healing the king of Edessa, a man by the name of Abgar. Most traditions say that Thaddeus was eventually clubbed and killed for his faith.
Simon the Zealot, the son of Clopas, the Zealot," This word is not derived from Canaan nor Cana but from the Aramaic word qanan meaning "zealot" or "enthusiast" indicates his association with the Zealot movement, a Jewish political faction that fiercely opposed Roman rule in Judea. Simon the Zealot preached in various regions, including Egypt, North Africa, and Persia. His life serves as a testament to the far-reaching impact of Jesus' ministry and the dedication of His followers, regardless of their prior affiliations. He ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.
Judas, who betrayed Jesus and then went out and hanged himself, and took his own life (Matt. 27:1-5), Kerioth is located in southern Judea, twelve miles south of Hebron. Judas would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthias was not originally one of the twelve apostles, but he had been a follower of Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, having witnessed all the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. He preached the Gospel in various regions, including Cappadocia, the Caspian Sea area, and Ethiopia. He was burnt alive in Syria.
What kind of legacy we would like to leave for Christ?
