Mark 3:13-19
When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, He did so for two primary purposes. The first was a relational one and the second a missional one. In this message we will explore the first of these two purposes and it’s importance to our being devoted followers of Jesus.
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 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, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house. (Mark 3:13-19)
“That” or literally, “in order that,” introduces two subordinate clauses stating the intention of the main verb, “appointed.” Jesus’ intention was that these twelve men would live in relationship with Him on a daily basis and that they would ultimately be sent out to represent Him.
These two purposes are not solely for a select group of elite followers of Jesus, but the call placed upon every believer in Christ. That is evidenced by the fact that the official title for these men, “apostles” (Mark 6:30), only occurs once in Mark’s gospel, whereas the more general word “disciple(s)” occurs 45 times, along with other expressions for His followers (Mark 3:34; 4:10; 10:32; 11:9). In other words, Mark didn’t concern himself with their “official” role as much as he did with their representative role. These two purposes apply to everyone that would be a disciple of Christ!
What was it that Jesus desired from these men when He said He wanted them to be “with Him”?
In essence, He was calling them to spend time “with Him” listening to Him teach, seeing Him perform miracles, and watching how He lived out His life on a daily basis. This matter of being with Christ is a foundational element of what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ.
Interestingly, these twelve men called to be with Christ were all fairly young when they answer the call. In the book, The Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ, James E. Stewart says, “Unfortunately, it is a fact which Christian art and Christian preaching have too often obscured...Christianity entered the world as a young people’s movement. Most of the apostles were probably still in their twenties when they went out after Jesus...And no one ever realized more clearly than Jesus did that the adolescent years of life, when strange dormant thoughts are stirring and the whole world begins to unfold, are God’s best chance with the soul...When we study the story of the first Twelve...We see them following their leader out into the unknown, not knowing very clearly who he is or why they are doing it or where he is likely to lead them; but just magnetized by him, fascinated and gripped and held by something irresistible in the soul of him, laughed at by friends, plotted against by foes, with doubts sometimes growing clamorous in their own hearts, until they almost wished they were well out of the whole business; but still clinging to him, coming through the ruin of their hopes to a better loyalty and earning triumphantly at last the great name...’The glorious company of the apostles.’ It is worth watching them, for we too may catch the infection of their spirit and fall into step with Jesus.”
This youthful band of men present to us a fundamental truth we all need to grasp: whether you are young or old, Jesus is calling you to “be with Him” in fellowship and communion, learning about Him and growing in closeness to Him. He wants you to know Him in the intimacy of a relationship that is lived out daily. This is the basic essence of what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
- Before we can preach about Him effectively, we must fellowship with Him personally.
- Discipleship is about a relationship before it is about a task that we do.
If we fail to realize this basic fact, then we may well spend our entire lives believing we are His disciples, measured by what we do, without truly being His disciples. It is this ever-growing communion with Christ that underlies all of the other instructions He will give these men about discipleship. Without this passionate pursuit of Christ Himself, you and I will never be ready to make the other sacrifices necessary to fulfill our greatest purpose in life.
- Doing honorable things for Christ is not the same as spending time with Christ.
- You might be a visionary Christian leader, but if you don’t have a vital relationship with Jesus...it doesn’t matter.
- Helping others understand the gospel is not the same thing as drinking deeply from the wellspring of His grace personally.
Jesus was issuing a call to these disciples (and to all of us) that meant He wanted them to give their lives to Him. They were to leave other things behind to travel with Him so they could observe His life both publicly and privately. They were on the inside of seeing His miracles and hearing His discourses. They were treated as members of His family and trained by Him for the great work that was ahead of them.
But, let’s be certain we understand that this is about more than just being in close in proximity to Him. This is about making Him and His pursuits their life mission, as well as giving Him their ultimate loyalty. They were being called to abandon their own agenda and adopt His.
Being “with Jesus” also had consequences that took on even greater significance as His mission encountered ever-increasing opposition. It finally reached its apex during the passion week when all His disciples forsook Him and fled. Having been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was taken away to unjust trials and ultimately His crucifixion. Peter stayed close enough to watch some of the initial proceedings. When he was recognized, which ultimately brought his threefold denial, it was precisely because he was now identified as having been with Jesus. When you’ve been communing with Jesus it always shows.
Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” (Mark 14:66-67)
Our spiritual passion must be to spend time “with Jesus” so that we, too, are unmistakably identified with Him by others. Followers of Jesus aren’t supposed to “blend in;” they are supposed to “stand out.”
An illustration of the idea of being “with Jesus” is found in the story of Jesus coming to Bethany and being invited to a meal with Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Of course, when guests are coming to your house you want everything to be perfect, especially when that guest is the Rabbi you deeply revere. Unfortunately, Martha was so distracted trying to make sure everything was just right that she missed valuing the opportunity of being “with Jesus.”
There is a little word in Luke 10:39 that is often overlooked and isn’t even translated in some modern translations, but it changes the entire meaning of these unfolding events.
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Notice carefully that it says Mary “also sat at Jesus’ feet.” It wasn’t that Mary was negligent in helping her sister prepare for the Guest that was visiting with them. What this points out is that Mary understood that being “with Jesus” was more important than anything else she could be doing “for Jesus.” Mary understood that Jesus’ presence in their house was the most important matter at that moment. Other things could come later, but being “with Jesus” took priority over everything else.
How much better is it for us as followers of Jesus to learn that time spent with Christ is the most important time we spend on a daily basis. We weren’t called just to be His workhorses, dutifully churning out tasks and deeds assigned to us. We were called to spend time in His presence, becoming personally acquainted with Him. He wants us to be with Him that we might know Him in His glory and grace. This is the greatest privilege afforded to all of His children!
These twelve men enjoyed a front row seat that enabled them to see and hear the words and works of Jesus Christ. Generations before them had witnessed remarkable things. Some had seen the wonders of God in the Exodus, as well as the giving of the Law. Others experienced the miracles of Elijah and Elisha. Still others heard God’s wonderful oracles spoken by the ancient sages of Israel. But, none had been so privileged as these men to be “with” the One that was greater than all the prophets and sages of old. The words and works of Jesus exceeded all those that had gone before Him. To be “with Him” was to be with the One that spoke the world into existence and on Whom the heavens had been opened for the angels to ascend and descend while ministering to Him.
And, these men were deeply affected by their time with Jesus. John writes about it in his first epistle.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4)
Their time spent with Jesus was indispensable to their bearing witnesses for Jesus. The testimony of these men had credence primarily because they had spent time “with Him.” No one would have believed their report as quickly except for the fact that these men had been with Jesus.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:13-14)
What preceded their witness and work for Christ was their daily walk with Him. They were indelibly marked by their time spent in His presence. And, people noticed the difference that being with Jesus made in them. It changed them forever!
On one occasion during Jesus’ ministry He took Peter, James and John to a mountain top where He was transfigured in their presence. For a few brief moments they saw a measure of His true glory shining through the exterior of His humanity. Appearing there on that mountain with Jesus was Moses and Elijah. It was an experience unlike anything anyone had ever had before. In Peter’s typical fashion, he apparently felt he needed to speak, so he suggested that they build three tabernacles...one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. In that moment God the Father spoke from Heaven and said, ““This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)
That’s the essence of what Jesus meant when He called these disciples to be “with Him.” They were to become so closely associated with Him that they could “hear Him” and became like Him. This principle of association with Christ was for the sake of the disciples’ personal and spiritual transformation. And, it is the very foundation of what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
An incredible privilege is afforded each of us that we must not squander or fail to share. We are invited into the very presence of Jesus Christ to be “with Him” and get to know Him. James put it this way. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you... (James 4:8)
The truth is...we are as close to God as we want to be! He’s already shown His love for us on Calvary, it’s our move now!
In his book, Enjoying Intimacy with God, J. Oswald Sanders makes a piercing observation. He writes, "We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be. True, there are times when we would like to know a deeper intimacy, but when it comes to the point, we are not prepared to pay the price involved."
A. W. Tozer was a pastor in the city of Chicago for many years and a prophetic voice to the twentieth-century church. On one occasion when a new minister arrived in town, Tozer called him and described the difficulty and spiritual warfare involved in pastoring is such a city. He said, “If you ever want to pray with me, I’m at the lakeside every morning at five-thirty. Just make your way down and we can pray together.” A day came when the other minister was troubled in his soul. He made his way to the lakeside at about six o’clock. There he found Tozer prostrate in the sand worshiping God. A. W. Tozer affected so many publicly through his preaching because he was serious about his private intimacy with God. (Sammy Tippit, The Prayer Factor [Chicago: Moody Press, 1988])
In today’s society too many of us say we are followers of Jesus but are more like Martha than Mary. The only time we give heed to His voice is when we find ourselves in the deep waters of life’s troubles. We are sadly distracted by many good things that keep us from doing what ought to be the main thing. Discipleship is first and foremost about being “with” Jesus so that we can know Him and be changed by Him.
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach…
No one will ever be “with Him” unless the following are true.
- We have to intentionally choose to pursue God. A deep communion with Him doesn’t just happen to us.
- We have to minimize distractions that move our focus away from Him. God is pleased when we simplify our lives.
- We have to discipline ourselves to consistently be “with Him.” That moment you miss with God may well be the moment you would have heard His voice most clearly.
A minister told about an ancient Scottish legend in which a poor boy was tending some sheep on a mountain side when he saw at his feet a beautiful flower. It was so beautiful that he could not resist picking it… and as he did he heard a loud sound. Looking up he saw the mountain before him opening up, revealing a cavern filled with precious gems and metals. He walked into the cavern, laid down the flower and began gathering all the gold, silver, and precious gems he could carry. When he could carry no more he heard a voice as he turned to leave that said, “Don’t forget the best.” So he turned again and gathered even more stuff into his arms. As he left the cavern the mountainside closed behind him and all that he carried instantaneously turned to dust. Again the voice spoke and said, “You forgot the best. For the flower is the key to the vault of the mountain.” (Rev. Adrian Dielman, Pastor of Trinity Christian Reformed Church, Visalia, CA, “Hosts and Guests”, July 8, 2001)
Don’t forget that Jesus is sometimes called the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley. In the process of pursuing all of the good things God makes available to us in this life, don’t forget to pursue the “best” thing. You and I are invited to be “with” Christ, not only in right relationship to Him, but in deep communion and fellowship with Him. Disciples desire to be with Jesus more than they desire anything else in life!
