Why Did Jesus Choose the 12 Disciples for Kids?
If you’re a Christian parent, your child might have come across the story of Jesus choosing his 12 disciples. It’s a significant event in Christianity, and it’s important for children to understand why Jesus chose these specific people.
- The number 12
Firstly, it’s essential to note that Jesus chose 12 disciples to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. This was significant because Israel was God’s chosen nation in the Old Testament, and Jesus was sent to fulfill the prophecies and promises made to them.
Matthew 19:28 says, “Jesus said to [the disciples], ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'”
Therefore, by choosing 12 disciples, Jesus was symbolically representing the restoration of Israel through his teachings.
- The disciples’ backgrounds
Another reason why Jesus chose these specific individuals was because of their backgrounds. In those times, rabbis would choose students who were already knowledgeable about Jewish law and scripture. However, Jesus didn’t follow this tradition.
Instead, he chose fishermen like Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-22), tax collectors like Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13), and even a zealot who was known for being politically radical (Simon the Zealot – Luke 6:15). By doing so, he showed that his message was for everyone – not just those who were already religiously educated.
- Their faith
Lastly, Jesus chose these 12 individuals because of their faith. They were willing to leave everything behind and follow him.
In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
The disciples were willing to give up their old lives and follow Jesus – even though they didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time. Through their experiences with Jesus, they grew in faith and understanding.
Conclusion
Jesus chose the 12 disciples to represent the restoration of Israel, to show that his message was for everyone, and because of their faith. As children learn about this story, they can be encouraged to trust in Jesus and follow him with all their hearts – just like the disciples did.
So next time your child asks why Jesus chose those specific individuals, remind them that it wasn’t by coincidence or chance – it was all part of a greater plan.