He Appointed Twelve--Designating Them Apostles

Mark 3:1-19

Key verse 3:14-15 

He appointed twelve -- designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

I. Jesus healed the man with the shriveled hand (1-6)

1. Read verses 1-3.  Who was in the synagogue on the Sabbath? (1)  What was the motive of the Pharisees who were watching Jesus closely? (2) What was Jesus’ response? (3) 

2. Read verses 4-6. What did Jesus ask them? (4)  Why was Jesus upset and deeply distressed? (5)  What did Jesus ask the man with the shriveled hand? (5)  What can we learn from Jesus and the man? What did the Pharisees do after this event? (6)

II. Crowds follow Jesus (7-12)

3. Read verses 7-12.  Why did many people come to Jesus? (8,10-11)  What did Jesus do for these people? (10)  What happened whenever the evil spirits saw him? (11)  Why did he give them strict order not to tell who he was? (12)

III. The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles (13-19)

4. Read verses 13-15. What do you think Jesus did on the mountain? (13; Luke 6:12)  Who did he call? (13) Why did Jesus appoint them? (14-15) 

5. Read verses 16-19.  Who were the twelve apostles?  Who had nicknames?  What do you know about these twelve men?  Why do you think he called the twelve from such ordinary men?

He Appointed Twelve--Designating Them Apostles

Mark 3:1-19

Key verse 3:14-15 

He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

In this passage, Jesus sees the obstinate, calloused hearts of the religious leaders and the great need of the crowds and then prays about this problem and selects new leadership. May the Lord be pleased to appoint as his “apostles” our Bible students who received grace at the Spring Conference.

I. Jesus healed the man with the shriveled hand (1-6)

1. Read verses 1-3. 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:1-3  Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  2  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  3  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

Who was in the synagogue on the Sabbath? (1)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:1  Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.

A man with a shriveled hand was there. 

The man’s hand was withered, shrunken and paralyzed so that it was of no use to him. Luke says that it was his right hand (Luke 6:6), which was so much the worse.

The man's hand was withered, but God's mercy had still preserved him the use of his feet: he could use them to walk to the public place of worship so that he could meet Jesus and be healed. 

What was the motive of the Pharisees who were watching Jesus closely? (2) 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:2  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

They were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. According to the oral tradition of the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath was permissible only in a life and death situation. And breaking the Sabbath was a capital offense (Num 15:32-36 and Exo 31:14-17). 

The reason the Jewish leaders opposed Jesus is revealed by the four questions they asked him in chapter 2:

“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (2:7)

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and `sinners'?” (2:16)

“How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” (2:18)

“...why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (2:24)

This time the Pharisees (Luk 6:7) were expecting him to heal this man with the withered hand. By their expectation, they admitted that Jesus had the power of God to work miracles.

They knew what Jesus could do, yet their knowledge didn't draw them to Jesus. They also knew Jesus would do something when he saw this man in need.

What was Jesus’ response? (3) 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:3  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

Jesus said to the man, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

Jesus knew "what they were thinking" (Luk 6:8), their reasoning and designs. He knew it was a trap. Yet he still wanted to help the man.

Jesus commanded the man to stand up before everyone so that all who were gathered there in the synagogue could see his shriveled hand. He might have wanted the religious leaders to be moved with compassion toward the man as he appealed to them.

2. Read verses 4-6. 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:4-6  Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.  5  He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  6  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

What did Jesus ask them? (4)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:4  Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

He asked, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”

The details of his appeal are found in Mat 12:11-12. Jesus reasoned with these religious leaders, pointing out how they did works of mercy on the Sabbath even for their animals. He declared that, if they themselves did works like that for their lowly animals on the Sabbath, it was certainly lawful to do it for a human being who needed help.

In his question to the religious leaders, Jesus emphasized the truth about the Sabbath: there is never a wrong day to do something truly good.

To do evil and to kill are not lawful at any time, but to do good, and to save life, must be right at all times

Jesus left it with them to consider what was most agreeable to the law of God, the nature of a Sabbath, and the good of mankind. 

They remained silent probably because they were convicted of their guilt and could find no way to justify themselves before him.

They were so obstinate that, when they could say nothing against the truth, they chose to remain silent rather than admit their wrongs.

Why was Jesus upset and deeply distressed? (5)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:5  He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Because of their "stubborn hearts".

This is one of the few places where Jesus is described as having anger.

We know what anger is, but we are rarely angry for the same reason Jesus was angry. 

This was a perfect opportunity for these critics of his to change their mind about him and their traditions. But they refused to change their minds, and rejected Jesus instead. Consequently, he was angry with them. This anger was from out of his holiness and love of mercy.

Our Lord never became angry at the tax-collectors and sinners, but he did express anger toward the self-righteous Pharisees (Mat 23). They would rather protect their traditions than see a man healed!

When self-righteous people obstinately hinder the spiritually sick from coming to Jesus for healing, it is a great distress to him, for he desires that no one should perish. This is a good reason why the hardness of our own hearts and of the hearts of others, should be a grief to us.

What did Jesus ask the man with the shriveled hand? (5)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:5  He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand”. 

The man, of course, knew little about this spiritual conflict.

When the man stretched out his hand, it was instantly and completely restored. His enemies could not charge Jesus with having violated the Sabbath since he performed the healing without having done anything except speak his word.

What can we learn from Jesus and the man?  

ANSWER:

How can you stretch out a paralyzed hand? But as the man put forth effort, God did the rest. God worked according to his faith (Mat 9:29). 

This could have thought, 'Heal me first, then I will stretch it out.' This may have seemed reasonable, but in his case, it would have been foolish. 

"At the command of the Lord he made the effort, and in making it the cure was effected!. Faith disregards apparent impossibilities, where there is a command and promise of God. The effort to believe is, often, that faith by which the soul is healed."

What did the Pharisees do after this event? (6)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:6  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. 

This verse climaxes the section on Jesus’ conflicts in Galilee with the religious establishment (2:1-3:5).

It is Mark's first explicit reference to Jesus' death, which now began to cast its shadow over his mission. 

The Pharisees and Herodians were probably mutual enemies, but the Pharisees conspired immediately with the Herodians in an unprecedented common effort to destroy Jesus. 

They persisted in their evil intentions, though Christ had so fully and clearly exposed their wickedness.

II. Crowds follow Jesus (7-12)

3. Read verses 7-12. 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:7-12  Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.  8  When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.  9  Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.  10  For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.  11  Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."  12  But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Why did many people come to Jesus? (8,10-11)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:8  When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.

Mar 3:10-11  For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.  11  Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."

Because they heard of his power to heal, people came in great numbers to touch Jesus and receive healing. 

What did Jesus do for these people? (10)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:10  For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

He healed them.

This crowd was attracted to Jesus more because of his miraculous works than because of his message. 

It is wonderful for people to be attracted to Jesus. But if their focus is on what he can do for them instead of who he is, they will not follow him for long.

These crowds were dangerous to his cause, because they were not spiritually motivated and the authorities could accuse him of leading a popular revolt against the Romans. Yet Jesus received the people, healed their sick and drove out demons. 

What happened whenever the evil spirits saw him? (11)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:11  Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."

They fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

They recognized Jesus' true status as the Son of God and were greatly threatened by his presence. 

Why did he give them strict order not to tell who he was? (12)

ANSWER:

Mar 3:12  But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Mar 1:34  and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jn 6:15  Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

The demons gave Jesus the title “Son of God” because they knew he was in very nature God and that he had divine power over them. But the Jewish people misunderstood this title. To them, “Son of God” meant nothing more than ‘Messiah’ (whom they regarded as strictly a human, not divine, figure). And they thought of the Messiah as political king whom God promised to send from David’s line (Mat 22:43-46; Mat 20:20-23; Acts 1:6; Jn 1:49; 2Sa 7:12-16) who would restore their nation to the glory, power and prosperity it had in the times of David, overthrowing Rome and regaining its dominion over the surrounding Gentile nations. If Jesus allowed the demons to freely broadcast the news that he was the Messiah, the Jewish people would attempt to make him king by force (Jn 6:15) in a surge of nationalistic enthusiasm and thereby obstruct and derail him from his work and mission as Savior (to the glee of the demons).

III. The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles (13-19)

4. Read verses 13-15.   

ANSWER:

Mar 3:13-15  Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.  14  He appointed twelve -- designating them apostles -- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach  15  and to have authority to drive out demons.

What do you think Jesus did on the mountain? (13; Luke 6:12) 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:13  Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.

Luk 6:12  One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

He spent the whole night in prayer (Luk 6:12).

Jesus was at a critical point in his ministry. 

The religious leaders did not care for the people. This was illustrated by the way they dealt with the man with a shriveled hand (5). They only burdened people with rules (Mat 23:4). Now they were offended by Jesus and were plotting his destruction (6).

Great crowds came to receive help but Jesus was shorthanded; there was one Jesus and thousands of needy people (Mat 9:36-37). Because so many were coming and pressing him to get his help, he needed to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him (9).

His prayer, as is very probable, was chiefly concerning the great and important work, which was upon his mind, and he was about to do: the selection of twelve disciples to be his apostles, to preach in his name, and work miracles:

Jesus continued all night in prayer to God, notwithstanding the great fatigue of the day past. 

Who did he call? (13) 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:13  Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.

He called to him those he wanted and they came to him.

The choice and call of the apostles to office were not according to their will, works and merits, but according to the sovereign will and grace of Christ, who chose them, and not they but him (Jn 15:16). 

Why did Jesus appoint them? (14-15) 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:14-15  He appointed twelve -- designating them apostles -- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach  15  and to have authority to drive out demons.

He appointed them to be his apostles. The term “apostle” means ‘one sent forth,’ ambassador, delegate, or messenger. As his apostles, they needed to know him intimately in order to correctly represent him and his teachings in their preaching. So, Jesus chose them to be with him: 

That they might be the ones closest to him and live with him and follow him and hear all his public discourses and see his miracles and learn from him and know him.

That they might be influenced by his glorious character, Spirit, love and power and be privately tutored and trained by him and fitted for the great work he designated them for.

The first job of the Twelve was simple to be with Jesus, to learn from being around Him. Then, in a secondary sense he chose them that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

In one sense, there was nothing in Jesus' three years of ministry before the cross more important than this.  These were the men who would carry on what he started.  

The reason why “Twelve” were chosen was:

Probably, that such a number would be deemed competent witnesses of what they saw; 

That they could not be easily charged with being excited by sympathy, or being deluded, as a multitude might; 

and that, being destined to go into all the world, a considerable number seemed indispensable. 

Because this is the foundation of the new chosen people, and as Israel had twelve tribes, Jesus would have twelve apostles.

In Genesis, God started with Jacob's twelve sons, and in Exodus, he built them into a mighty nation. However, the nation of Israel was now spiritually decayed and ready to reject her own Messiah. 

God had to establish "a holy nation, a peculiar (purchased) people" (1 Peter 2:9), and the 12 Apostles were the nucleus of this new "spiritual" nation.

5. Read verses 16-19. 

ANSWER:

Mar 3:16-19  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.

Who were the twelve apostles?  Who had nicknames?  What do you know about these twelve men? 

ANSWER:

The inner three disciples, Simon, James, and John, had nicknames which described their character.

Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter). Both Peter (Greek) and Cephas (Aramaic) mean ‘Rock’. 

This name “Peter” probably described how the impulsive and vacillating man would become,  by the power of Jesus and for his glory, a stable, rocklike leader of his church (Mt 16:16-20; Eph 2:20)

His name was given to him, not at the time of his mission as an apostle; nor when he made that noble confession of his faith in Christ (Mt 16:16; Luk 9:20; Mar 8:29), at which time this name was taken notice of; but when Christ first called him to be his disciple and apostle (Jn 1:42).

James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder). It is not known why this name was given to them. They are nowhere else called by it. But possibly the name was given because:

They maybe possessed a thunderous temperament. This was demonstrated in Luk 9:54 when they asked to call fire down from heaven and consume a certain village of the Samaritans. 

They maybe were remarkable for a loud commanding voice and Christ intended to use them as thundering preachers -- special eminent ministers of the gospel, whose voice would shake the earth and whose zealous and fervent spirit would make them active for God above the other apostles.

In the writings of Apostle John, we see flashes of his indignation against sin and we hear thunder in his denunciation of falsehood. For example, he writes in 1Jn 2:4, “The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” He writes in 1Jn 3:8, “He who does what is sinful is of the devil...”

Similarities and differences:

They are ordinary. 

not the noblest and the best

not the most educated or intelligent (Acts 4:13)

not the most gifted

not the most eloquent (as leaders)

They are a motley group. 

Four fishermen, one hated tax-collector, one radical member of a violent political party, one doubter, one betrayer (known to Jesus).  

We know virtually nothing about the other six, whose names never appear again in Mark’s gospel. 

All their fame is reserved for heaven, where their names are written on the twelve foundations of God's heavenly city (Rev 21:14). 

Why do you think he called the twelve from such ordinary men?

ANSWER:

Act 4:13  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1Co 1:26-29  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  27  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  28  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are,  29  so that no one may boast before him.

Such ordinary men were chosen so that Jesus’ power and glory and mercy might be displayed. This was to show that any class of men could be purchased by his blood and made into a new creation and used for his wonderful purpose.

It is encouraging to see what Jesus was able to do with such a diversified group of unlikely candidates for Christian service. There is still hope for us!

 The Greek word for “shriveled” means “...to make dry, dry up, wither...” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). The NET Bible subject note on this word reads, “Withered means the man’s hand was shrunken and paralyzed.” (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006)

 "The background for this is the view that only if life was endangered should one attempt to heal on the Sabbath (see the Mishnah, m. Shabbat 6.3; 12.1; 18.3; 19.2; m. Yoma 8.6)." (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006) The Mishnah contains the oral tradition of the Pharisees.

 From Adam Clarke, The New Testament...with a commentary and critical notes

 Who these Herodians were is not exactly known. They appear to have been a Jewish group sympathetic to the Herodian rulers and who supported them. That they were a sect of the Sadducees is suggested by comparing Mar 8:15 with Mat 16:12.

 “In the same way, the phrase “Son of God” is often quoted as if it meant, without more ado, “the second person of the divine Trinity.” It didn’t—at least, until the early Christians began to give it a new meaning that pointed in that direction. At the time, it was simply another epithet for the Messiah. The Bible had spoken of the coming king as YHWH’S adopted Son. A high rank for a human being, no doubt; but there was no thought of such a king being the very embodiment, or (to use the Latin word) incarnation, of Israel’s God himself.” (N. T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, Pg 117) According to the strict monotheism of Jewish thought, the term "son of God" merely stressed the intimacy of the relationship between God and his messianic agent and carried no connotations of divine status.

 The Greek word for “apostle” means, “...a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.” (James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, 1890.)

HE APPOINTED TWELVE--DESIGNATING THEM APOSTLES

Mark 3:1-19

Key verses: 3:14-15

He appointed twelve---designating them apostles---that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach [15] and to have authority to drive out demons.

Last week at the conference we learned about being born again. When we are born again, we have a hope for life in the kingdom of God. While we are waiting for this hope in Jesus’ return, we see that God has a great work for us to do right now.

Jesus appointed Twelve--designating them as apostles. The designation “apostle” means to be sent out. They were appointed as twelve whose purpose was to go out. Go out from where? From Jesus and to this world to serve all the people. You may ask: Isn't it too much to take care of myself already? How can I take care if other people? Let’s think about this question as we go through the message, for Jesus calls the disciples to first “be with him” and then to go out. For heals us so that we are made whole and not needy. Do you remember what the Psalmist said in Psalm 23? “The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

The leadership, or service, is very important. In the Bible a leader means a servant. But sinful man turns the position of leading from serving other into serving himself. These days we hear a lot about bad leaders being rejected by their people. Revolutions happened in Tunisia and Egypt. A revolution is happening now in Libya. Qaddafi said, “It’s going to be a long war.” Although the people rejected him, he doesn’t want to give up power. And it turns out that all of these Northern African dictators are all stinking rich and were looting their countries. 

We see that Jesus is very concerned about the leadership because he is deeply concerned about the people. Specifically, that they might have faith in God and be right with him, by hearing his words and following his ways.

Let’s look at the passage now and see the way in which Jesus established twelve apostles. 

First, the problem: No one to take care of the people (1-12)

Look at Mark 3:1-2:

[1] Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

Where it says “some of them” it is referring to the Jewish religious leaders, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. It was the Sabbath and they were in the synagogue. In those days, you had a 6 day work week. And then you took a break on the Sabbath, by Jewish law. Nowadays we enjoy only a 5 day work week! When the religious leaders saw a man with a shriveled hand there they immediately thought about Jesus. When they saw the two together what came to mind was that this was a golden opportunity to find a reason to accuse Jesus. Here was tasty bait to catch the big fish. So they watched Jesus closely ready to reel him in. 

They didn’t think about this man with a shriveled hand as a person in need. What was it like for him to have a shriveled hand? Probably it looked like so, the same way some people look after suffering a stroke. He couldn't do basic things, like get dressed properly. He couldn’t enjoy simple things like swimming or playing guitar. He couldn’t even shake hands when he met somebody for the firs time, for it was his right hand that was shriveled. Who was taking care of him?

Already Jesus had a history of healing the sick. And they obviously believed in his power to heal! But rather than seeing an opportunity for one of their synagogue members to be healed, they watched closely so that they might accuse Jesus. We see that they were determined to find fault with him. Actually, in chapter 2, they had met several conflicts with Jesus. He was not performing as they had expected. When he forgave a man’s sin, they accused him of blasphemy. So Jesus demonstrated his authority by healing the man who was a paralytic. The man got up and jumped up praising God and then went home in view of them all. Jesus also called a tax collector named Matthew (or Levi) to follow him. The tax collectors were the stinkiest of sinners, but Jesus had called him to be his disciples and follow him, and then had dinner with him and his tax collector colleagues! They were so shocked. They could not imagine that the Christ would be so involved with sinners, like tax collectors and sick people. Jesus did not fast when they did, and he fed his disciples when they were hungry, even though it was the Sabbath. They kept asking, “Why do you do this?” And “How is it that you do that?” But they didn’t listen to his answers although he explained them very gently to them.

But Jesus knew what they were thinking. Instead he used the man to call them out, and made the first move. Look at Mark 3:3-4:

[3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." [4] Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

Jesus’ question was directed at these religious leaders. The question seems all too obvious, almost rhetorical! But how did they respond? They did not answer Jesus' question. They remained silent. How could such people be the leaders? They could not even say which is lawful, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill. Of all people, they had to answer this question, but they did not. If it is to do good and save life, then what is wrong with healing the man?

Look at Mark 3:5-6:

[5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Jesus was rightly angry with them and, it says that he was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts." When they didn't answer, Jesus showed them the answer by healing the man. At that time he performed a healing miracle to give them a message. Of course, this was amazing grace to the man with the shriveled hand. But Jesus was focusing on these people. He even healed a man with a shriveled hand to speak to their hearts. He was not healing and collecting a doctor’s fee. He was not seeking personal gain. He was restoring the man’s hand to him. He was making him whole. And it was for their sake that he did it, first above the man’s sake. 

Why was Jesus “deeply distressed”? It was because he was so concerned about them and the people. He did not have a problem with Pharisees as Pharisees, or with the pharisaic system. When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, Jesus did not say, “I tell you the truth, you cannot see the kingdom of God unless you repent of being a Pharisee!” But the problem was their hearts. Their hearts were so stubborn that they could not even say whether it is lawful to do good or do evil, to save life or to kill. He tried to help them. He was willing that they were the leaders, but they had to repent of their pride and let go. Rather than accept his words and repent, they went out and plotted more evil, going from bad to worse. They thought they were going to get rid of him. But the truth is that he could not use them anymore. 

Here we see the poor condition of the people who were the so-called leaders--who turned out in fact that they should not be leaders. The people cannot be taken care of with such people over them who do not have regard for God’s law and purpose, nor for the people to be taken care of it. 

How bad had things gotten under this kind of leadership? Look at Mark 3:7-12:

[7]Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. [8] When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. [11] Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." [12] But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Such large crowds were coming to Jesus from all the surrounding regions; they were coming from every direction to see him. They were so desperate to see Jesus. Jesus was even taking precautions now to keep the people from overcrowding him. They were sick and demon possessed. Some didn’t even know how needy they were! They didn’t know that an evil spirit was in them, until they got near Jesus and the evil spirits began to cry out at Jesus! It is very obvious that no one was taking care of them. Specifically, there was no connection with God. No one was shepherding them to be right with God. No one was giving them God’s words to live by. No one gave them to good example to follow. For the sake of the Pharisees’ pride, these people were suffering and harassed like this. 

Now they found a shepherd in Jesus. In fact, it was why he came to them. He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. Jesus taught them God’s words and he healed them. 

Second, the solution: Jesus designates Twelve Apostles (13-19)

Look at Mark 3:13-19

[13] Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. [14] He appointed twelve---designating them apostles---that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach [15] and to have authority to drive out demons. [16] 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.

Jesus’ solution to this need was to establish new leaders for the people. So he went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. This is the key connection point among the Twelve. “They came to him.” When he called, they answered. When we look at who Jesus called, we don’t see anything impressive or noteworthy about them. We see their names, and some have nicknames. There’s a zealot, who was a terrorist against Rome, and a betrayer. We can find out in the gospels that most of them were just blue collar fishermen, one was a tax collector, and so on. And they were all very different. Later, the Pharisees criticized the disciples, calling them out as “unschooled” and “ordinary men” (Acts 4:13). Notice however that there is not one Pharisee who was called to be part of the Twelve.

But this point is what separated them from the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Those guys had all the Bible knowledge, self-discipline, and training. But they lacked the most important thing: a soft heart to listen to Jesus and learn from him. These twelve, on the other hand, answered his call. They had been with him, following him, learning from him, although they were often just as shocked and challenged by what Jesus did as the Pharisees were. But with their humble and learning minds, they became the foundation on which Jesus built his church and spread the gospel to all the world.

Who was the right candidate in Jesus’ eyes? It was not the smartest men, or the most disciplined, or the best looking or most popular, or wealthiest, etc. It was one thing he was looking for: those who would listen to and learn from him. And it was these men that he called and sent out to take care of the people. Here we see how important it is to soften our hearts and learn from Jesus! It may be the deciding factor if he finds us ready and useful for service to him! 

Consider what is happening in Northern Africa. These “rebels” are dying for the sake of having a new “leader” and new government. They are giving their lives for this cause. But what they really need is Jesus to be their shepherd and to be their Lord. But they cannot believe and go to Jesus if they don’t hear the message. So, firstly, they need someone to go there and tell them the good news. 

Later Jesus told his disciples to make disciples of all nations. It means that this problem and the need of the people was not something unique to Jesus’ day. It is a common problem everywhere. Choosing twelve from among many others was just the beginning, the starting point. This is how God has been working. It was the same with Moses. God started by calling him and sending him to Egypt and to the people of Israel. But God’s vision was for the whole nation to be a kingdom of priests. Even Moses said, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them” (Numbers 11:26-29). 

Jesus has commanded us to make disciples of all nations. How can we make disciples like Jesus? We have to find those whose hearts are not stubborn and will listen to Jesus and learn of him. We have to believe in God who chose all kinds of lowly people to be his apostles. We have to look at the heart and integrity. 

We are not called to remain stationary or introverted, but to be sent out by Jesus. How then did Jesus prepare them for the task? Look again at verse 14. [14] He appointed twelve---designating them apostles---that they might be with him…

Now, before sending them out, they were to be with him. They were to learn of him. The key point of preparation was being with Jesus, learning from him and listening to him. This is because 1) Jesus sent them out to do what he was doing; 2) because what the people really need is Jesus. The preparation then they needed then was learning of Jesus who is the good shepherd. Then he empowered them with his authority to carry out that work, just as he had been doing. Jesus reveals himself and works among people through his apostles. 

So first of all we must come to Jesus and “be with him” with a humble heart that is ready to listen and learn. What does it mean to be “be with him”? The conference messages did a good job to show how we can be with Jesus. First, we have to answer his call, “Where are you?” We have to come out of our darkness and come to God’s words. Next, we need to repent of our sin and believe in Jesus. Jesus came in love like a bronze snake to heal us of sin sickness. He was lifted up on a cross and died for us. So we have to believe in him. Then he calls us to follow him. We have to spend time with Jesus by coming to his word, such as daily bread and prayer, and if you didn’t sign up for a discipleship program at the conference there is still time for you to do so. One of the discipleship teams meets on Friday nights and study’s the Sunday passage together. But they begin with testimony writing and sharing. This is very good! I hope all who attend would write and share their testimonies each time, so that you can listen to Jesus and learn from him, specifically how to repent and obey his word and pick up faith in him! 

What a great and urgent task Jesus gives to those who answer his call and come to him. Jesus sends us out to take care of his flock. There is such an important work that Jesus has for his disciples right now!

Consider what Jesus said in John 14:12: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

In coming to him, we have to believe in him! For this message is for all of us. Often we try to excuse ourselves. We say maybe Jesus did not choose me, he chose that other guy who’s doing a lot or is a better speaker than me, or is smarter than me, or has a better job than me. Some say, I am too young. Others say, I am too old. Still others say, it’s not my character, or I’m too busy, I have too many problems, I just want to mind my own business, etc. But just as Jesus choose 12 who were all different, Jesus choose us who are very different so that we can take care of all kinds of people, not just one kind of person. Anyway, it is his will for us to answer his call and shepherd over his people. If we have faith in him, we will do even greater things!

We have to respond to Jesus calling! We are here now. And he has this great work to do now, for there are so many in need of Jesus. It is amazing to see that the way Jesus reveals himself in this world, and the way he takes care of people, is through the service of his apostles. What a great task we have before us, if only we humble our hearts and accept his calling and listen to him. 

In this room there are a little more than 11 times 12. So we can make at least 11-12 groups of twelve apostles among us. 

We thank God for calling us to Jesus. Let’s pray that we may learn of him and be sent out by him to shepherd over his people. Let’s pray to make disciples and send them out as Jesus did to the ends of the earth!