Designated Apostles

March 3

(Luke 6:12-16 NIV) “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. {13} When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: {14} Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, {15} Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, {16} Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Jesus had a message: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” He had a method: travel, preach, and heal. But Jesus had a couple of problems. First, He knew that He would be leaving. He had come to die for the sins of the world, but wanted His work to continue. Second, He lived in an age before print or electronic media. There were few books and most could not read. Newspapers, magazines, brochures, or tracts would not work. There was no radio, no TV, and no internet. How would the gospel get out? Jesus prayed and chose twelve men. He wrote His message upon their hearts, and their lives became His means of communication. They would go out from His presence and take the gospel to the world. This is still Christ’s plan, and you have been chosen as a disciple and a witness. You are His method and His message. Go! Be an apostle of His grace and truth! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day