When Jesus began His ministry, one of the first things He did was to select twelve men to be His disciples. These twelve individuals would become some of the most important figures in the history of Christianity.
So, how did Jesus find these twelve disciples? Let’s take a closer look.
The Calling of the Disciples
The calling of the disciples is a well-known story in the Bible. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee when He saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting a net into the sea.
Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
Similarly, when Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John, mending their nets with their father Zebedee, He called out to them as well. They left their boat and followed Him.
Jesus also called Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, who left his work immediately and followed Him. The other seven disciples were likely called in a similar manner.
Why These Twelve?
It’s interesting to note that Jesus chose these twelve men from various backgrounds and professions. There were fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John; a tax collector like Levi; and even a zealot like Simon (also called Simon the Zealot).
Despite their differences, these twelve men shared one thing in common: they were all willing to follow Jesus and learn from Him. They became His closest companions during His ministry on earth.
The Role of the Disciples
The disciples played an important role in spreading Jesus’ message throughout Israel and beyond. They witnessed many miracles that Jesus performed – such as healing the sick and feeding thousands with just a few loaves of bread and fish – which helped to strengthen their faith.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples continued to spread His message. They also wrote many of the books in the New Testament that we still read today.
Conclusion
Jesus’ selection of the twelve disciples was not random; each individual was chosen for a specific purpose. Despite their differences, they all shared a willingness to follow Jesus and learn from Him. Their role in spreading Jesus’ message cannot be overstated, as they helped to establish Christianity as a major world religion.
As we reflect on this story, we can also consider our own calling in life. Are we willing to follow Jesus and learn from Him like His twelve disciples did? The answer to this question may shape our own destiny, just as it did for Peter, Andrew, James, John, Levi, Simon, and the other disciples.