The 12 Disciples

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

Transformed.  Meeting Jesus changed them.  It still does.  This week we study all 12 disciples in our sermon series exploring the people Jesus encountered in his ministry.  Jesus took a group of people who had vastly different political, theological and social ideologies and brought them together as his closest disciples.  How did this work?

There were religious zealots, and Greek speakers who were close to the Roman rulers.  He brought together simple laborers – fishermen, and educated men – tax collectors.  Jesus brought these vastly divergent opinions and backgrounds together and taught them what the Kingdom of Heaven was like.  Jesus exemplified the Kingdom of God in their life together.  The day to day eating and sleeping, travelling and teaching, healing and praying, all became opportunities for lessons about God.  The disciples didn’t always get along.  There were plenty of times they shared their differing opinions, but Jesus didn’t let them splinter apart.  He always gently brought them back together with a message of unity.

When we find ourselves judging each other, let’s turn our eyes back to Jesus.  When we want to give up on a relationship, let’s be open to listen first and work for reconciliation.  Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies.  Some of those enemies were among the closest disciples Jesus had called to himself.  They had to practice loving their former enemies daily.  We do too.

Question for the week:  Do I treat others the way I want to be treated?

Our Holy Father, we confess the weakness and sinfulness of our lives. We have often turned away from thee to seek our own desires. And often when we have done no evil, we have undertaken nothing of good, and so have been guilty of uselessness and neglect. From this sin of idleness and indifference set us free. Lead us into fruitful effort, and deliver us from profitless lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.  (prayer by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)