Bible Numbers: Twelve Disciples

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. Mark 3:13-14

When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James (also known as Thaddaeus, the name that is used in Matthew and Mark), and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Luke 6:13–16. The accounts of the calling of the disciples are also found in Mark 1:16–20, Luke 5:2–11, and John 1:40–42.

I don’t believe we’ve covered this particular topic before. The answers to the question, “Why 12?” below should whet your appetite for further study on this and other significant numbers in scripture.

■ From the NIV Bible Website:

It was no accident that He chose twelve.

God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were divided into twelve tribes. And as Jesus calls out a new people for Himself, He starts with twelve men who will form the basis of a new Israel.

The power of God was clearly at work in calling these men, but it is doubtful whether they knew the full extent of what they were signing up for when they began as Jesus’ disciples. They knew that they had to leave their current jobs and the security that those gave. But it was only as Jesus neared the end of His earthly life that He explained to them the real cost of discipleship.

Ultimately, what Jesus required of His followers was the willingness to give up everything for Him. He put it in very stark terms when He said that anyone who wanted to follow Him must take up his cross (Luke 9:23) and follow Him. In other words, they were to be prepared to die for Him. For some, their allegiance to Christ resulted in their being killed. And yet what Jesus asked of His disciples wasn’t more than He was willing to do Himself as He demonstrated when He freely gave His own life on the cross as a once-for-all sacrifice for human sin.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He “graduated” His disciples, as was the custom of the rabbi. He instructed them to go and proclaim the good news of the kingdom and in addition, He told them that they would be able to do everything that He had taught them to do (Matthew 28:19–20). The book of Acts and the subsequent history of the Church reveal that Jesus’ disciples did precisely that…

■ From the website AllAboutJesusChrist.org:

The 12 Disciples – Why Twelve?
In the Bible, twelve, like seven, frequently suggested completeness and perfection. In the Old Testament, twelve represented “all Israel” (Genesis 49:28; Joshua 13-19). The Book of Revelation provides numerous references to twelve.

• 12 tribes of Israel, which are sealed and protected (Revelation 7:5-8; Revelation 21:12)
• 12 stars in the woman’s (Israel) crown, symbolizing the 12 sons of Jacob (Revelation 12:1; Genesis 37:9)
• 12 gates of the great high wall of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 12:12)
• 12 angels guarding the heavenly gates (Revelation 12:12)
• 12 apostles of the Lamb, part of the church and body of Christ (Revelation 12:14)
• 12 pearls or precious stones of different colors, adorning the 12 foundations (Revelation 21:14, Revelation 19-21)
• 12 crops of fruit, continually producing wholesome and pleasant fruit (Revelation 22:2)

The mention of “twelve” appears in other areas of the New Testament as well.

• Jesus first spoke in the Temple at 12 years of age (Luke 2:42, 49-52).
• Jesus raised Jarius’ 12-year-old daughter from a death-like state (Mark 5:42).
• The miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes, providing 12 baskets of leftovers (Matthew 14:19–20; John 6:13).

As Jesus’ immediate followers, the Twelve’s faithful obedience would be challenged repeatedly. A promise of eternal honor was extended to these chosen men. “Jesus said to them [disciples], ‘I tell you the truth, 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’” (Matthew 19:28). This promise shows the glory and status reserved for these saints who had suffered persecution on earth for the cause of Christ. “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).

The 12 Disciples – Why These Men?

…The selection of the Twelve demanded the utmost deliberation as well as sacrifice. Prior to Jesus choosing these men, He fervently sought to fulfill the will of God, the Father. “. . . Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12). These men would not only be His followers, but individuals who would be closest to Him. In every way, the Son of God chose to be vulnerable to these individuals. They would witness His fury against the moneychangers, His grief at a dear friend’s death, and His misery as they abandoned Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 2:13-16; 11:35; Mark 14:32-42). Still these men were the sort of people God has always desired—the humble. Despite their faults, the Twelve were teachable. Jesus wanted men who could understand the struggles of the broken-hearted, the poor, and the afflicted…

■ Finally, Christianity.com quoting Doug Bookman:

Since the multitudes had turned away from their promised Messiah, Jesus began a six-month period of private instruction with the Twelve, those He would prepare for the time of this death, resurrection, and departure…

…Seeking seclusion to instruct the Twelve, Jesus retreated to what would then be known as “heathen lands.” The leaders in Israel harassed him because of their animosity to His teaching, and no place within the region would allow Him a time of true private instruction. The Twelve Apostles would serve as the core of the future church, and this time would prepare them for—from their vantage point—the catastrophe of His death. His instruction during this time culminated in the Transfiguration, witnessed by the three members of the “inner circle,” Peter, James, and John, an event that fortified their faith and left an indelible impression on their later ministry (see 2 Peter 1:16-21).

 

 

I Will Make You Fishers of Men

Today we pay a return visit to Glen Scrivener’s blog with the unusual name, The King’s English. Honestly, there are so many good articles here — and we just looked at recent ones — that it was hard to choose. I hope you enjoy this one. Click the title below and then when you’re done reading, click the blog’s banner at the top of the page to look around the site.

Fishers of men

Matthew 4:12-22

What images spring to mind when you picture an evangelist?

Sometimes we think of an adrenaline junkie, who could sell ice to the eskimos.  Yet when we consider the people who helped us to faith – we are reminded of very different character traits!

Simon Peter can be thought of as an arch evangelist.  But in the Gospels, we see a journey from a brash loud-mouth to a loving pastor.  Only at the end, is Peter finally the evangelist Christ wants him to be.

It all begins in Luke 5 with Christ calling him from catching fish to catching people:

Jesus saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord”. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  (Luke 5:2-11).

Simon is not called because of his great Bible knowledge, his professional religious qualifications or his incredible oratory skills.  In fact he’s not even a good man.  He’s a sinner and he knows it, falling at Jesus’ knees and wanting Him to leave.

Jesus does not find a good preacher and change him into a fisher.  He finds a fisherman – a bad fisherman at that! – and makes him a preacher.  It’s not in Peter’s power to make himself an evangelist.  But when the Lord says “Thou shalt”, it has to happen.

Perhaps Peter started reading popular paperbacks on the work of evangelism, because he starts acting with all the bravado we associate with “the evangelist.”  The epitome of his self-assurance emerges in the upper room on the night before Jesus dies:

Peter said unto Jesus, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I”. And Jesus saith unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice”.  But he spake the more vehemently, “If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise”. Likewise also said they all.  (Matthew 27:29-31).

Peter is as bold as brass and leads the disciples in utter self-confidence.  Yet Jesus knows that this pride will be his undoing.  The man proclaiming his lifelong fidelity to Christ would deny Him three times within a matter of hours.  Bold Peter is exposed as an evangelistic failure.  But broken Peter would show us the way.

After Christ’s resurrection we read a very touching scene (John 21).  It’s the reversal of Luke 5 and of Peter’s denials.

Again we see a miraculous catch of fish, but on this occasion Peter does not want distance from Jesus.  He races towards the One he has just betrayed so terribly.  Something has happened.  Peter knows that there is forgiveness in this Crucified and Risen Master.  His sins don’t make him flee.  Instead he swims ashore with all his might, as Jesus stands, cooking breakfast for his faithless friends.

Right here, over a fellowship meal, Jesus recommissions Peter:

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee”. He saith unto him, “Feed my lambs”. He saith to him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee”. He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep”. He saith unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee”. Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my sheep”.  (John 21:15-18)

Peter would be, not only a fisher of people, but a shepherd too.  He would be a pastoral evangelist.  And this ministry would be founded, not on his brash resolve, but on his broken-hearted love.

The world needs more fishers of men.  But may they be pastoral fishermen.  May they be those whose ministry is founded, not on gifting or qualifications or resolve or righteousness, but on a brokenness over sin, a fleeing to Christ for grace and a love of Jesus confessed to the world