Training the Twelve (Mark 3:7-19)

Jesus was an extremely popular figure during his time on earth, and the story of his life and teachings continues to inspire and intrigue people today. In Mark 3:7-19, we see just how popular Jesus was, with large crowds of people gathering around him wherever he went. But why was Jesus so popular, and what lessons can we learn from his popularity today?

Drawing People to Him

One of the reasons that Jesus was so popular was his ability to draw people to him. Whether they were for him or against him, people were always curious to hear what Jesus had to say and see what he would do next. His teachings were both revolutionary and inspiring.

At the heart of Jesus’ message was the idea that God loves us all, regardless of our flaws and mistakes. Jesus showed this love through his actions, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He also challenged people to think differently about their relationship with God, encouraging them to put their faith into action by loving others and seeking justice for the oppressed.

Seeking Jesus’ Hand vs. His Face

However, not everyone who followed Jesus was truly committed to his message. As we see in Mark 3:7-12, many people came to Jesus seeking his hand rather than his face. They wanted him to heal them or perform miracles for them, but they were not necessarily interested in building a real relationship with Jesus.

In contrast, true discipleship requires us to seek Jesus’ face – to develop a real relationship with him that goes beyond what he can do for us. This means spending time in prayer and reading the Bible, but it also means putting our faith into action by serving others and living out Jesus’ teachings in our daily lives.

Leaving the Crowd for Discipleship

In Mark 3:13-15, Jesus calls his disciples to leave the crowd and spend some time with him for training. This shows us that true discipleship requires a willingness to separate ourselves from the distractions and temptations of the world in order to focus on our relationship with Jesus.

This doesn’t mean that we should isolate ourselves from the world entirely, but it does mean being intentional about our priorities and making time for spiritual growth. Whether it’s through attending church, participating in a small group, or spending time in solitude and reflection, we need to make discipleship a priority in our lives.

The Unlikely Apostles

Finally, in Mark 3:16-19, we see that Jesus chose an unlikely group of men to be his apostles. They were not the typical “dream team” that one might expect, but rather a rag-tag group of misfits who needed some reforming.

Yet Jesus saw something special in each of these men, and he knew that they had the potential to do great things for His kingdom. This reminds us that God often chooses unlikely people to do His work, and that our weaknesses and flaws can be used for His glory.