Why Did Jesus Call Together the 12 Disciples?
Jesus Christ is known as the Son of God, a savior and a teacher who preached about love, compassion, and forgiveness. He wandered around the countryside, spreading his message to anyone who would listen.
However, he did not do it alone. Jesus chose 12 men to be his disciples and travel with him on his journey. These disciples were not just followers but also learners who would carry on his teachings long after he was gone.
The Twelve Disciples
The twelve disciples were Simon Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew (sometimes called Nathanael), Thomas (also known as Didymus), Matthew (also known as Levi), James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus (also known as Judas son of James), Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
Jesus did not choose these men at random. Each one was specially selected for a specific purpose.
They were fishermen, tax collectors, revolutionaries and more. Jesus saw something special in each one of them and knew that they could help him spread his message.
To Spread His Message
One reason why Jesus called together the twelve disciples was to spread his message to a wider audience. They traveled with him from town to town, spreading his teachings to anyone who wanted to hear them. They also helped him perform miracles such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry.
The disciples were able to reach people that Jesus himself could not have reached alone. They spoke different languages and had different backgrounds which allowed them to connect with people from all walks of life.
To Learn From Him
Another reason why Jesus gathered together the twelve disciples was to teach them about his message. He knew that he would not be around forever and wanted to make sure that his teachings would continue long after he was gone. The disciples were not just followers but also learners who would carry on his legacy and spread his message even after his death.
Jesus taught the disciples about forgiveness, love, compassion, and more. He showed them how to live a life of service and how to help those in need. The disciples learned from him through his teachings, actions and even through their mistakes.
To Fulfill Prophecy
Finally, Jesus gathered together the twelve disciples to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. In the book of Isaiah, it is written that the messiah will have 12 followers who will help him establish a new kingdom on earth. By choosing 12 disciples, Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy and demonstrating that he was indeed the messiah.
In Conclusion
The twelve disciples were an integral part of Jesus’ ministry. They helped him spread his message, learn from him, fulfill prophecy and establish a new kingdom on earth. Their contribution did not end with Jesus’ death but continued long after as they spread his message throughout the world.
- References:
- Bible – Matthew 10:1-42
- Bible – Mark 3:13-19
- Bible – Luke 6:12-16
- Bible – John 15:16-17