Mark 3:7-19
Introduction
This passage is in two parts. The first part shows Jesus being overwhelmed by crowds. And the second part shows Jesus calling the twelve disciples.
Bear this in mind as we make our way through it.
Verses 7 to 12
In these verses we see a multitude of people coming to Jesus from near and far. They were coming to Jesus to be healed because they had heard ‘what He was doing’. See verse 8.
Notice that there is no mention of the crowds coming to Jesus because of what He was teaching. They were only concerned about their physical wellbeing. Is it right that they should only want physical healing? No, we are more than physical beings. We also have souls and spirits. Our souls and spirits need healing too. When we come to Jesus for help, we need to hear His word as well as having our bodies healed. Remember that.
Even though the crowds didn’t come to hear Jesus teach, that didn’t stop Jesus from healing their bodies. This tells us about the nature of Jesus. He is merciful, kind and generous. We should be like Him. Think about that.
Verses 13 to 19
In these verses we see Jesus choosing 12 men to be His disciples. A disciple is a student and follower of someone. The way that these men became disciples of Jesus was the opposite of the way most people became disciples in those days.
To become a disciple of a Rabbi, for instance, you had to apply to the Rabbi to become his disciple. However, these 12 men become disciples of Jesus because He chose them. He decided who He wanted to be His disciples. Look closely at verse 13 again.
The main reason for Jesus calling them was ‘so that they would be with Him’. Look closely at verse 14 again. He wanted them to have a close person relationship with Him. He wanted them to learn of Him; to know all about Him. He wanted them to follow Him wherever He led them. And He wanted them to learn from Him. The other reasons for Jesus choosing them was to send them out to preach and to cast out demons.
In verse 14 we are told that Jesus appointed twelve. We also see in verse 14 that Jesus speaks of the disciples collectively, using words like ‘they’ and ‘them’. Furthermore, the Greek word translated as ‘appointed’ actually means ‘to make’. So, Jesus made the twelve into something. He made them into the Church. They were not twelve separate disciples. They were a group of disciples.
So, what does all of this mean for us today? The same happens to us. We are chosen by Jesus. See Romans 8:28-30.
• He decides who He wants.
• He chooses us primarily to be with Him.
• He wants us to have a close person relationship with Him.
• He wants us to learn of Him; to know all about Him.
• He wants us to follow Him wherever He leads us.
• He wants us to learn from Him.
And finally, He makes us into the Church and sends us out to preach, heal and overcome evil. That’s what we learn from this passage about Jesus calling the twelve.