As a kid we all remember those times down at the playing field when it came to choosing sides for a sport. The self appointed captains would choose who would be on their team. Sometimes the qualifications were based on the skills of the person for the particular sport, whether they were popular, the best friend or brother of the captain. It didn't matter to you if you were picked second, third or fourth. As long as you weren't picked last. You knew that the captains were all about the game, it really wasn't about the people. There wasn't careful consideration about the potential over the long haul. As kids the experience was dramatic and could shake our well being down to our very soul. As adults I hope we can see in perspective that the slights we experienced as kids was the result of a selfish and fallen world. In our passage today we are going to look at how Jesus chooses a team.
Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16, New King James Version)
Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16, New King James Version)
This is the story about Jesus choosing the twelve apostles. This will be His team for continuing His work after He is gone. Given how radical the Gospel message would be, it would seem that Jesus would choose men well qualified for speaking publicly, vast knowledge of the scriptures, full of wisdom and bold in faith. Instead he chooses fishermen, tax collector, zealot and others from Galilee considered the back country of Israel.
What led up to this unorthodox selection of men. Verse 12 tells us just before the selection Jesus went up to the mountain and prayed. Was it a quick prayer like "Father show me who to choose?" No it would appear he prayed about the choosing all night.
Jesus sought the understanding of who to choose from God. This was not a game. This was not a popularity contest. This was based on potential. Jesus was looking for faithful men. Men who did not bring their own power into the equation. Men that would be remarkable because of their humble beginnings. Men who by the power of God would turn the world upside down.
On the day of Pentecost those who heard these men speak, commented "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?"
Jesus sought the understanding of who to choose from God. This was not a game. This was not a popularity contest. This was based on potential. Jesus was looking for faithful men. Men who did not bring their own power into the equation. Men that would be remarkable because of their humble beginnings. Men who by the power of God would turn the world upside down.
On the day of Pentecost those who heard these men speak, commented "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?"
We need to remember that our wisdom is not God's wisdom. We are not His judge, he is ours.
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
(Isaiah 40:28, New King James Version)
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