When Jesus began his ministry, he had a message to share with the world. He was here to bring God’s message of love and salvation to all people.
But he couldn’t do it alone. That’s why he chose the 12 disciples – to help him spread the word and carry out his mission.
Who were the 12 disciples?
The 12 disciples were a group of men that Jesus chose to be his closest followers. They were:
- Peter
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John (son of Zebedee)
- Andrew
- Philip
- Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
- Matthew (also known as Levi)
- Thomas (also known as Didymus)
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Jude (also known as Thaddeus or Lebbaeus)
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot
Why did Jesus choose these men?
Jesus didn’t choose the 12 disciples at random. He had specific reasons for choosing each one.
First, they were all Jews from Galilee, which was important because Jesus’ message was primarily directed towards Jews.
Second, they were all ordinary men – fishermen, tax collectors, and so on – who weren’t highly educated or influential. This was significant because it showed that anyone could be a follower of Jesus, regardless of their social status or background.
Third, they were all willing to leave behind their families and careers to follow Jesus. This demonstrated their commitment to him and his mission.
Fourth, they had different personalities and backgrounds, which would help them connect with a wide range of people.
What did Jesus expect of his disciples?
Jesus expected a lot from his disciples. He wanted them to:
- Follow him and learn from him
- Preach the gospel and perform miracles
- Be faithful and obedient
- Love one another and serve others
- Suffer persecution and even death for their faith
What can we learn from the 12 disciples?
The 12 disciples were flawed human beings, just like us. They made mistakes, doubted Jesus at times, and struggled with their own weaknesses. But they also had incredible faith, courage, and love for their Lord.
Through their example, we can learn:
- The importance of following Jesus wholeheartedly
- The power of God’s grace to transform our lives
- The need to trust in God even in difficult times
- The value of community and serving others
- The reality of persecution for our faith
In conclusion, Jesus chose the 12 disciples because he wanted to build a community of faithful followers who would help him spread his message of love and salvation to all people. The disciples were ordinary men with different backgrounds and personalities, but they shared a common commitment to Jesus’ mission. Through their example, we can learn important lessons about faith, obedience, love, and service.