Three full weeks now in the books. Today begins our fourth week of daily bLOG reflections from the Gospel of Mark. I hope you are benefitting from these as much as I am. Remember, these are reflections and not comprehensive commentaries on the text being covered.
And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Mark 3:13-19
ἀποστόλους
Jesus called twelve ordinary men to do extraordinary things. They were not priests, rabbis, scribes, politicians, prophets, or kings. Many were fishermen; one was a tax collector, and another an activist.
Two bore the name “Sons of Thunder,” and one Jesus nicknamed the “Rock.” But Jesus called them all ἀποστόλους (apostles). They were all being trained to be messengers, ones sent on a mission by another, and envoys; to preach and bring healing.
Out in front of our church’s building, there is a sign that says, “God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” Are we answering the call to be this generations ἀποστόλους?
Lord,
Please help us be your messengers, sent on this mission by you to be your envoys.
But also keep reminding that there is no use walking anywhere unless our preaching is our walking.
I pray this in the name of our Sender. Amen!
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