Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. he appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. (Mark 3:13-19, NIV)
In early September, a few weeks before the start of the Ryder Cup, USA Captain Steve Stricker announced his six Captain’s picks that would round out the 12-man USA team. Stricker surprised some pundits by picking four rookies and only one player with more than two prior Ryder Cup appearances.
Rather than making experience the hallmark of his picks, he looked at, among other things, how well the players might play the 7,390-yard Whistling Straits course and their recent performances on Tour. In hindsight, he made all the right moves.
At the halfway point in his ministry, Jesus had to make some tough decisions to pick his “team” of apostles. In the first eighteen months of Jesus’ ministry, hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people followed him. These folks were called his disciples—students or people who wanted to learn from him.
Then, with only a year and a half before he would be nailed to a cross, he picked 12 men—12 ordinary men—to be his apostles or messengers. Mark tells us that he would later send them out to preach and have the authority to drive out demons.
Look at them to learn what it takes to be a follower of Jesus both in good times and in tough times. Observe them to see what it takes to learn from Jesus, to be devoted to him, and to evangelize on his behalf.These twelve men were ordinary men. Four were fishermen. One was a tax collector. There were no politicians, doctors, lawyers, business people, engineers, or anyone who was an established religious leader. The apostles were simple men who would go on to become founders of the early Christian Church. All but one would suffer a horrible death because of their teaching and belief in Christ.
These men’s personalities varied. For example, Peter was impetuous. Noted author, John MacArthur, dubbed him, “The Apostle with the Foot-Shaped Mouth.” Though he was the first disciple to be called, Andrew, unlike his brother Peter, tended to evangelize in the background rather than in the spotlight. Philip was extremely adept at organization and administrative matters, yet he initially lacked vision. Jesus assembled these men as his “team” that would continue his work and mission after his death.
In the coming months, I plan to focus on the lives of each of the apostles to try to glean from their pre- and post-ascension lives, what characteristics, attributes, and personalities they exhibited. We will explore what we might learn from them as we walk our own faith path trying to become more like Jesus.
Look at them to learn what it takes to be a follower of Jesus both in good times and in tough times. Observe them to see what it takes to learn from Jesus, to be devoted to him, and to evangelize on his behalf.
It will be an amazing journey, and I hope you can join me in the coming months as we explore the lives of a few good men.
—
Mark “Ole” Olson
January 11, 2022
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