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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 68

1 Peter 2:16 "As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God."

Day 68 – Mark 3

“As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

THE CALLING OF DISCIPLES

Right from the start of Jesus’ public ministry, He began to call people to become His disciples. Some of the people called were noted, namely two sets of brothers, Simon and Andrew, James and John (Cf. Mark 1:16-20). There were other disciples, one of the most notable ones was Levi, the tax collector (Cf. Mark 2:14).

THE APPOINTMENT OF THE TWELVE

Out of the many who followed Jesus, He singled out a small number of special disciples who were appointed as His apostles.

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him
those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.”
MARK 3:13

The Gospel of Luke adds an important piece of information that we need to note.

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to
the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself;
and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”
LUKE 6:12-13

1. All night prayer session

The selection process was not an easy one. Jesus felt that He needed to pray to His Father concerning His selection of twelve special disciples.

2. “He…called to Him those He Himself wanted”

It is important for us to understand what this statement means:-

a) The selection process was something that Jesus determined within Himself.
b) The actual criteria for His selection was never made known.

3. From Disciples to Apostles

a) The meaning of the word “disciple”.

The root meaning is that of “a learner” (“manthano”- to learn). All who were privileged to be called to follow Him must show themselves to be worthy and diligent learners of spiritual truths Jesus expounded.

b) The meaning of the word “apostle”

The root meaning is that of “one who has sent out with a definite commission to fulfil.” The Lord Jesus had in mind many things He would entrust to this small band of Twelve apostles. The training process would now be even more intensified.