Jesus Chooses the Twelve

Luke 6:12-16

Key verse 13

“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”

1. Read verse 12. What does Jesus do after he heals a man on the Sabbath? (12b, Mk 3:13) What do you think he might have prayed about that night? What do you think we can learn from Jesus here?

2. Read verse 13. What does Jesus do when morning comes? (Mk 3:13) Why do you think he chooses the twelve out of his disciples? (Mk 3:14a) Why do you think Jesus was able to designate these twelve as his apostles so quickly? What does the term apostle mean? (Mk 3:14b -15)

3. Read verse 14-16. What kinds of people are the twelve? What similarities and differences might have been found among them? Why do you think Jesus might have mentioned Peter’s name first? (Mk 3:16, Mt 10:2, Mt 16:17-20) What do you think we can learn from Jesus as he chooses Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples? (16b) What do you think we can learn from Jesus’ service and compassion in serving God’s will to seek and save the lost in this world? (Mt 9:35-37, 10:5-42)

Jesus Chooses the Twelve

Luke 6:12-16

Key verse 13

“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”

Introduction

In today’s passage Jesus prayed and called his disciples to him; choosing twelve of them. Jesus served God in finding young men to help spread the word of His kingdom. Jesus entrusts us to go spread the news of His glory and His kingdom as well. May the Lord help us to follow Jesus and continue to raise up disciples in these dark and troubling times.

1. Read verse 12. What does Jesus do after he heals a man on the Sabbath? (12b, Mk 3:13) What do you think he might have prayed about that night? What do you think we can learn from Jesus here?

1-1 Read verse 12.

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

1-2 What does Jesus do after he heals a man on the Sabbath? (12b, Mk 3:13)

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Jesus went up on a mountainside... - Mark 3:13

“One of those days” has to do with the previous passage that the Pharisees shows their evil desire to use a man with a shriveled hand as a way to trap Jesus into committing what they believe would be a sin. Through this method they sought to get rid of him. They would even go as far as to have him killed.

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Matthew 9:34-38

1-3 What do you think he might have prayed about that night?

In the flow of the passage and according to synoptic gospels, Jesus must have decided to choose the twelve disciples and train them as future leaders and shepherds of his flock in this world.

That is why Jesus must have prayed earnestly all night.

1-4 What do you think we can learn from Jesus here?

In those days Jesus could have despaired due to the sinful plotting of the powerful religious leaders. However he did not and instead went up on a mountainside and spent the night praying to God.

Through praying he had personal time with his Father in heaven and Jesus was strengthened through this to push on in his ministry. Jesus went to God in prayer.

Jesus listened to God in his prayers all night long. Jesus found strength in God. Jesus found wisdom in God.

Here we can see the importance of praying and being mindful of God’s plans and wishes for us in our lives. He alone can direct us along a path that as good and right and that will lead to more disciples being added to his flock through our service. Jesus acknowledges that God chose the twelve disciples for Him.

**John 17 reveals what is in Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

*God had sent the twelve disciples to Jesus to live with him and learn more about the way, the truth, and the life in Him.

God chooses by his grace for his own reasons. We can take comfort in knowing that we did not choose God, but God chose us.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit..” -John 15: 16

We can be thankful to God for giving us such a privilege to be His chosen disciples.

Bringing people into His flock is God’s plan.

May God help us to raise disciples of Jesus!

Through praying for guidance and wisdom, we can be endowed with God’s Holy Spirit to lead and direct our ministry to young new members of His flock.

“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” -Zechariah 4:6

When we are prayerful and follow God’s direction and His plans for us in our lives we will be very fruitful in bringing others into His flock.

2. Read verse 13. What does Jesus do when morning comes? (Mk 3:13) Why do you think he chooses the twelve out of his disciples? (Mk 3:14a) Why do you think Jesus was able to designate these twelve as his apostles so quickly? What does the term apostle mean? (Mk 3:14b -15)

2-1 Read verse 13.

13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

2-2 What does Jesus do when morning comes? (Mk 3:13)

“..called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.” - Mark 3:13b

2-3 Why do you think he chooses the twelve out of his disciples? (Mk 3:14a)

The number twelve seems to be meaningful in that God he chose the twelve sons of Jacob to begin the twelve tribes of Israel as his holy people.

The twelve tribes of Israel then became a light shining in a dark place for the nations around them which did not know God as they did.

So ‘twelve’ is not an arbitrary number, but it indicates that God has a plan to save the whole world through these twelve disciples.

Jesus chooses the twelve disciples.

In Jesus’ time a student who was going to study with a teacher would spend a lot of time with that person, often studying a single discipline.

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him..” - Mark 3:14a

Jesus aimed at having intimate fellowship with his twelve disciples, helping them know who he is in a personal way.

Jesus also formed a team among his disciples to serve God together.

2-4 Why do you think Jesus was able to designate these twelve as his apostles so quickly?

Jesus did not put them to placement tests such as Math or English as one enter community college. However he knew that they were the right ones because God had chosen these young men.

In order to become an electric grand master, one should go through five year apprenticeship as well as rigorous 5 year journeyman course. These disciples would take years to learn what Jesus had to show them about God.

Again Jesus called all of his followers and selected 12 among them to be his disciples.

They were designated as apostles. They would have a special experience with him and be presented firsthand with his most significant teachings and actions.

In the future, he would recognize them as legitimate carriers of his message, and as his representatives on earth.

They would become authors of the New Testament. Innumerable people would learn of Jesus through them.

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. - 2 Peter 3:2

2-5 What does the term apostle mean? (Mk 3:14b -15)

Apostles means “ambassadors” in Greek who will be sent on behalf of the king to deliver the king’s message.

According to a dictionary, ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.

“...and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” - Mark 3:14b-15.

3. Read verse 14-16. What kinds of people are the twelve? What similarities and differences might have been found among them? Why do you think Jesus might have mentioned Peter’s name first? (Mk 3:16, Mt 10:2, Mt 16:17-20) What do you think we can learn from Jesus as he chooses Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples? (16b) What do you think we can learn from Jesus’ service and compassion in serving God’s will to seek and save the lost in this world? (Mt 9:35-37, 10:5-42)

3-1 Read verse 14-16.

14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

3-2 What kinds of people are the twelve?

They are ordinary people.

3-3 What similarities and differences might have been found among them?

They were humble learners like new wineskins that Jesus had mentioned.

They are different in terms of their personal characteristics and backgrounds.

12 names:

Simon Peter - see next question

Andrew - Andrew is referred to as "Peter's brother." Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. After that, Jesus didn’t pay attention to Andrew as much as he did to Peter. However Andrew did not mind. Andrew was not self-centered. Andrew was most cooperative. When Jesus wanted to feed a large crowd, Andrew understood Jesus' heart the most. Although he was not asked, he brought five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Quiet men of good influence, like Andrew, are precious in God’s eyes.

James - son of Zebedee, son of thunder (Mark 3:17), He was executed by Herod. (Acts 12:2)

John - Also the son of Zebedee. Luke 9:54 reads, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” He is also ambitious. Once, when Jesus was nearing Jerusalem to suffer and die for sinners, James and John tried to claim positions at his right and left hand. Thanks to Jesus he became an apostle of love.

Philip - Philip was sought out by Jesus. (John 1:43) He is known for his intelligence but he had difficult time in knowing Jesus’ heart.

Bartholomew - Bartholomew may be the same person as Nathanael, whom Philip brought to Jesus. He died as a martyr.

Matthew - Levi, a tax collector

Thomas - known as “the doubter.” Jesus showed him patience and became he a missionary to India and died as a martyr. He went to the farthest land among disciples once his doubt had been overcome by Jesus’ grace.

James son of Alphaeus - might have been Matthew's brother.

Simon who was called the Zealot - was a member of the nationalist party of Israel. He must have had a hard time getting along with Matthew who, as a tax collector most often would have been labeled a traitor to the Jewish nation.

Judas son of James - little information about him.

Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor - self explanatory,

3-4 Why do you think Jesus might have mentioned Peter’s name first? (Mk 3:16, Mt 10:2, Mt 16:17-20)

Although the way of description in Luke(individual name), Mark(Peter, James and John, the rest), and Matthew(two by two) is different, they have something in common in that Simon Peter is mentioned first.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

- Matthew 10:2-4

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. - Mark 3:16-19

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. - Matthews 16:17-20

Simon was passionate and outspoken. He seemed to be a natural leader.

However, he had obvious weaknesses and made big mistakes. He seemed too unstable to be a truly effective leader.

However, Jesus had a great hope for him from the very first day he saw him. Jesus gave him the name "Peter," which means "Rock." (John 1)

It meant he would be the rock of Jesus' church. Peter's virtue was that he was

willing to listen to Jesus.

This is an essential quality that enabled him to grow in Jesus. However, it was Jesus' deep grace of restoration that sustained Peter through his difficulties.

In Jesus' hope and deep grace Simon did become Peter; the rock of the early church.

In the book of 1 and 2 Peter, Peter introduced himself as Jesus’ servant as well as apostle:

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

3-5 What do you think we can learn from Jesus as he chooses Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples? (16b)

Jesus includes Judas Iscariot who will become a traitor to be one of his disciples.

Still he was called, chosen, loved and trained Jesus, just as the others were.

He was the only one of the twelve who did not become a great man of God’s word. He loved money more than he loved Jesus.

Still Jesus chose him. Jesus did not avoid the cross in choosing his apostles. Jesus followed God's will.

Jesus says, “Love your enemy.”

It is not easy to love the ones who betray us.

However Jesus loved Judas to the end in John 13.

Praise Jesus!

3-6 What do you think we can learn from Jesus’ service and compassion in serving God’s will to seek and save the lost in this world? (Mt 9:35-37, 10:5-42)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Conclusion

Among the twelve were people of diverse backgrounds and personalities. By choosing them, Jesus embraced each kind of person in an intimate way. Jesus embraces all kinds of people in the hope of raising them as great men of God. Everyone has hope in Jesus. Generally, we like to be with those we have a lot in common with. However Jesus spent time with all of his disciples which can represent every kind of person; even a traitor. Like Jesus we must embrace all kinds of people. Then we can know Jesus’ heart. Praise Jesus.

One word: Jesus designated them as apostles!

Jesus called the twelve apostles

Luke 6:12-16

Key Verse 6:13

“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”

Good morning! How are you? I am fine thank you. It’s already November and I noticed that thanksgiving is coming. I also noticed the thanksgiving sale. Last year I noticed that ‘thanksgiving sale’ is the best, even better than ‘Christmas sale’. I was thinking about buying one thing and I am still contemplating about it. By the way, it was a beautiful special song from shepherd Terry’s fellowship. We need to follow Jesus at any cost. The title for today’s message is “Jesus called the twelve apostles’. The key verse comes from verse 13. May we read this verse together? “When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” Let’s pray.

Have you ever experienced that a group of people are opposing you, speaking ill of you? I experienced when I was in a 3^rd grade. One of my classmates became so jealous of me. He basically influenced my whole classmates and they were against me. So everyday when class was over and when school was over, I ran to my house. Come to think of it, I could report to my school teacher or my parents. But I was so naïve that I had to suffer for a whole year. But these days I see newspaper which talks about shooting at school. I realize that those people are those who were like me. Thank God that I did not shoot my classmates. I did not have any weapons and I did not know even to think about it. 

Anyhow in today’s passage Jesus was opposed by a group of people, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. At first their relationship was not that bad. It started from small thing and the relationship, the opposition from the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, became very intense. When Jesus forgave a paralyzed man carried by his friends, when Jesus said to him, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” the Pharisees and the teachers of the law criticized Jesus in their hearts. “This fellow is blaspheming God. Who can forgive expect God alone?” Then Jesus had to explain ‘the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus called Levi and Levi held a great banquet for Jesus in his house. And the Pharisees and the teachers of the law complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And then Jesus helped them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” 

And then they complained and challenged Jesus, ‘John’s disciples are fasting and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting. But why are your disciples going on eating and drinking?” Then Jesus told them ‘friends of bridegroom do not fast’. And he talked about ‘new wine’ and ‘new wineskin.’ Then one day Jesus’ disciples were passing through grain fields. They were very hungry. So they picked up some heads of grain and rubbed them in their hands and ate the kernels. And then they accused them, saying “why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Then Jesus had to teach them that he is the Lord of the Sabbath. And then on another Sabbath day they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus very specifically when there was a man whose right hand was shriveled. At that point Jesus became spiritually angry and he said, “I ask you, what is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it?” They were silent. Then Jesus asked the man to straight out his hand. At that point the Pharisees and the teachers of the law became furious and they discussed about what they might do to Jesus. At that time the relationship was completely broken. And probably Jesus noticed that how evil they were as far as their opposition and their understanding about Sabbath. At this point our text comes. So if you read one verse ahead of today’s passage it shows that they were furious and they went out and discuss what they might do to Jesus. So they were trying to find a way to accuse Jesus. 

Now when you faced this kind of group opposition and tried to do the work of God how would you feel? Usually we feel 2 or 3 ways. First of all, we can be very fearful. It is not just one person. Even if one person accuses you you do not feel good. But a group of people accuse you that is pretty bad. You can be very fearful. Second of your response could be ‘you can despair.’ You can bear them for a while. But your strength is limited. So you can despair. The third possible response is ‘you begin to hate them.’ “I am doing the work of God and these guys are accusing me and then they are such evil people.” And you can end up hating them. 

Now let us see how Jesus responded to this kind of situation and kept on doing the work of God. Let’s read verse 12 together. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Basically how Jesus overcome all kinds of fear, despair, and hating emotion was through prayer. If we face this king of group opposition it is very easy for us to be frustrated and become fearful and eat and usually we pray less and meditate on the word of God less. In my case what I usually do is ‘I eat a lot and gain weight’ and become frustrated more. But as we see in today’s passage Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the whole night praying to God.

So Jesus depended on God through prayer in order to wage spiritual battles. Especially the spiritual battle to love them continually instead of hating them. Jesus taught his disciples ‘what good is it for you when you love those who love you?” Jesus taught them they should love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them and love those who hate them. These religious leaders, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law’, should become Jesus’ coworkers and Jesus’ helpers. They knew the bible more than general crowd. Obviously when Jesus came they should be the ones who should recognize Jesus the most and very happy to see Jesus and help Jesus. But when Jesus came they appeared to be Jesus’ enemies. General crowd loved Jesus. They followed Jesus and enjoyed healing. But these religious leaders became enemies of Jesus more and more. Ultimately they are the ones who stirred the crowd and crucified Jesus. In order to wage spiritual battle and win over them Jesus depended on God through prayer. He spent the whole night praying to God.

To have fellowship with God and spend time with God as believers is the most important in order to do the work of God. We have many experience and common sense to do the work of God. But to spend time with God and do what he says at that time is very important. Long time ago I had one bible student. I heard on a Saturday he went home which is about 1.5 hours from our church. Immediately I realized that he burnt out and he could not make next Sunday worship service. All my experience as the bible teacher and my common sense strongly urged me to go and visit him. And one thing I was not so sure about. Visiting him can be interpreted as another push to him. So I was hesitating. But my experience and common sense was so strong that I was almost ready to go and visit him. But thank God! He helped me not to visit him according to my experience and common sense. He helped me to read the bible. So I spent about 3 hours reading the Bible. And I reached Genesis. When I read the Genesis ‘where are you?’ God spoke to me. To visit a person, in this case, is the expression of God’s love as if God was looking for Adam who was hiding behind a tree, saying “where are you?” is the expression of God’s love. So I drove 1.5 hours and met him. What shocked me the most was ‘at the beginning our conversation and fellowship’ he specifically told me ‘Your visit is special and specific expression of the love of God.’ God knew what was my greatest worry in my heart and he removed it from the beginning of our fellowship. I never had such a sweet fellowship where I can understand others better than that day. It shows a huge difference doing ‘after listening to God’ or ‘doing according to our experience and common sense.’ 

What if I went 3 hours earlier? What could happen? I don’t know. Probably I would not have such a graceful and wonderful relationship and result at all. Because it would come from my common sense and experience. But only after I heard God through prayer and meditating on the word God and acted upon his word I was able to reap abundant and graceful fruit.

So to spend time with God through prayer and meditating the word of God cannot be excused in any situation as believers in order to do the will of God.

The second reason we need to spend time with God through prayer in order to do the will of God is we need strength to overcome fear, despair, especially hatred. It is our natural response to hate the person when someone hates us especially when you are trying to do the work of God. Where can we get such a mountainous power, spiritual strength to love those who hate us and love those who speak ill of us, love those who persecute us, and love those who trouble us the most? Where can you get such a power to overcome your fear, to overcome your despair and overcome yourself? It is none other than fellowship with God through prayer and meditating the word of God. This is how Jesus waged spiritual battle and won a wonderful victory.

So “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Probably if Jesus were an ordinary man, at that day fear, despair, and hatred accumulated so much in the heart of Jesus that he could not stop praying. He could pray the whole night to release all of his despair, and burdens, and hurt and any of negative emotional feelings. Then the morning came.  When morning came he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them and designated them apostles. 

So obviously through the whole night of prayer God gave him wisdom about how to take care of the situation. The wisdom that came from God was ‘do not struggle with them anymore.’ I think the last part when Jesus challenged them, “What is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it” was the maximum Jesus could go.

When they were silent and they went and became so furious I think Jesus realized that he would not push them to repent anymore. So he stopped struggling with them but struggled with God. And God gave him wisdom to help his disciples. The wisdom that came from God was to focus on ’12’ people. You know Jesus is the almighty Son of God. His power is almighty. So he could decide to help people as many as possible.

But God advised him to choose 12 people. 12! God reminded Jesus of there were people who were willing to learn from him and follow him. Not only Jesus had the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who were opposing him but also he had many people who were learning from him and following him. So God asked him to focus on what he had, his disciples, and choose 12 of them and designate them apostles.  

Disciples means ‘followers’ or ‘learners’ and ‘apostles’ means ‘those who are sent to preach.’ So basically God asked Jesus to choose 12 people who could do what Jesus was doing; to be sent out to preach and heal. 

Choosing of 12 apostles shows God’s vision and hope for these 12 people because they were ordinary men. They were not spiritually mature people. They were not professional bible scholars. Many of them were fishermen for their job and they were not spiritually super men. They were spiritually very young people. But God has a vision and hope to mold these people into apostles who had Jesus’ authority and power and could help people to be saved after Jesus’ departure. 

Now when we look at 12 people, we can learn one more thing about God. God wants to save all kinds of people. These 12 people are very very different. Some people are totally different. Simon whom Jesus named Peter, so his name later became Simon Peter, was a man of big mouth but he was lacking in faithfulness. It was like this. One day 4 or 5 disciples gathered together and discussed about something. Then Simon Peter suggested, “Hey, brothers, among 12 unity is very important. So I suggest that we meet on a specific date again and we gather all together and talk about it.” And 4 or 5 disciples all agreed. Unity is such an important matter. So they all agreed to come to a certain date and meanwhile they would contact others who were not there. So finally the date came and everyone appeared except one person. Guess who is missing? “Simon Peter”. The very guy who suggested 12 people should meet and the very guy who suggested the specific date was missing out of 12. And he was like that. John the Apostle was totally different person. Generally he was quiet. But he was standing beneath the cross. So from Peter’s point of view John was very different and it is not easy to work together with John. From John’s point of view, Peter was so different from him that it was so hard for John to work together with him. Two of them ran to the empty tomb of Jesus after he has risen. John reached the first but he hesitated. Peter came later but he went in first. They are totally different people.

Sometimes we may wonder in our church how we all different people gather together. Sometimes husbands and wives are so different. People are so different that we wonder how we gathered together. Look at verse 13. “called’ “chose” and even ‘designated’. We did not choose husbands or wives. (We choose but our choice can be under God’s sovereign will.) We do not choose our church members. We are all called by Jesus, chosen by Jesus, and even designated by Jesus and we are all here and we are very different.

We are so different. Why did God choose totally different people? It is to help and save all kinds of people including Judas Iscariot who became a traitor. So in God everyone has hope. Everyone has a great vision. And these 12 disciples and apostles could represent all kinds of human race. God chose each of them so that they can help same kinds of people. 

I usually don’t want to talk about Maria and it was request from her too. But the day before yesterday we talked about buying something, and we are so different. We talk about how to use our cell-phone and text messages etc. And I recognized that God created each person so differently but he joined us together. So what should be our response to those who are so different from us? Shall we say, “Oh, he or she is so different from me. She doesn’t do this. She doesn’t do that.” Should it be our response? Or should we say, “Oh, God created him or her so different from me so that God may reach out all kinds of people. So he or she is in our church.” What should be our response? First, or second? Of course, the second. There is God’s divine will to call us and choose us and even designated us to gather to save all kinds of people.

About two weeks ago I specifically prayed to God, “Lord, please heal one of my terrible weaknesses” because it was so painful for me to carry the weakness. Actually I reached the point where I cannot carry it anymore. So I prayed to God. “Please heal me.” And God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient for me for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

In another words, “I am not gonna heal you.” (laughter) But when I was reminded of ‘my grace is sufficient for you’ I ended up agreeing with God. Very true. I forgot will the sufficient grace given to me and I asked God one more thing. But God knows better. “My grace is sufficient for you. You got enough. I gave you enough.” And he said, “for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So God was revealing to me, “my weakness which caused me so much pain was given to me so that I may come to him and experience his power instead of thinking that I am somebody or trying to do on my own strength or will or plan. 

So I agreed with God. Jesus’ grace is sufficient for me for his power is made perfect in weakness. In today’s passage Jesus did not have cooperation or coworking of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. But what Jesus had was ‘cooperation from God.’ What Jesus did not have was ‘disciples from the Pharisees and the teachers of the law” but what Jesus had was ‘disciples from the general crowd.” 

And God helped Jesus what he had instead of focusing on what he did not have. Most of all, God helped Jesus to struggle with him rather than struggle with men, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. 

God can even use our weakness in his salvation plan for all people. For example, if you look at in Genesis, Joseph’s brothers became so envious that they tried to kill him and ended up selling him as a slave. Later he became Egyptian prime minister and confessed to his brothers, “You intended to harm me but God intended to do good, to save many lives.” God’s desire to save all kinds of people was so strong and that God has such a strong power that he can use even our weaknesses. So in God we all have hope. That is why even Judas Iscariot who became a traitor was included in one of 12 apostles.

When we trust God and spend time with God through prayer and meditating the word of God God speaks to us and God gives us strength to overcome fear, despair, and hatred.  Spending time with God is also a way for us to be blessed by God and to do the work of God according to his leading instead of our common sense or our experience.

Today we learned how Jesus overcame the strong opposition from the group of people, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, and how he could love them continually and how he could carry the will of God in his time. It was spending the night through prayer. Also it is choosing 12 apostles. Apostle Paul also learned it in his personal life if you read the book of Acts. When Jewish people rejected his teaching he went to the Hall of Tyrannus and focused on 12 disciples to have daily discussion with them and there was such a great work of God that all the people in Asia the Minor heard the word of God and they repented.

So today we learned how Jesus overcame such an opposition from the religious leaders and kept doing the will of God. We pray that we may learn from Jesus and spend time with God through prayer and meditating the word of God and love those who hate us and love those who speak ill of us and love those who persecute us and keep on doing the work of God overcoming our fear, despair, and hatred.

One word: Jesus spent the night praying to God.

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