Daily Devotional for Thursday 2nd May
It’s down to us now
As Jesus’ ministry expands, in this passage we see how He decides to manage the larger number of followers He now has. To us, it seems to be a natural thing to form a team, but I wonder how common this was at the time. Choosing a team of 12 isn’t just a good size for a team, but of course, it has a link to the twelve tribes of Israel. The link is in the number, not to have one from every tribe, because we know there were two sets of brothers in the disciples He chose.
I don’t know how you would go about choosing a team but just look at the people Jesus chose. Simon Peter – really impulsive; Matthew a tax collector; Simon the zealot – suggesting he has links to a violent political group and James and John – the Sons of Thunder, who presumably weren’t the most even-tempered men. Then of course there was Thomas who famously doubted Jesus’ resurrection and Judas who would betray Him.
It was this group of men that Jesus commissioned to carry on the expansion of His ministry. Notice how first of all they are to be with Him in a period of training v14. After this they are to go out and, like Jesus, are to preach and heal in His name and with His authority.
That sets the pattern for how the Christian church was to expand after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Right at the end of His ministry, under Jesus’ authority, He commissioned all who are followers of Jesus Christ to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matt 28:19) It’s now down to us.
Time to reflect…
Notice the wide variety of characters that Jesus chose as apostles and reflect on how He was able to use these men with very differing abilities to become the foundation of the Christian church. Perhaps we shouldn’t excuse ourselves from being of service to our Lord.
Pause to pray…
Creator God, show us ways in which we can be of service to you, particularly in your call to go and make disciples of all nations. Thank you for your promise that when you call us, you also equip us for the task ahead. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
