Luke 6:12-16
Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
This seems like an odd place in the story to form a team. Do you know what I mean? Jesus has been healing and teaching and preaching and having the occasional run-in with the authorities, and all of a sudden he stops to name his apostles. More than that, it’s not like he hasn’t been collecting followers for a while. Early on he beckoned some fishermen to follow him. Just a few scenes ago it was his disciples who got him in trouble by plucking grains of corn.
So what’s up with this account of Jesus naming the twelve?
Several things, I think. First, Luke is clearly making a distinction. A lot of people count themselves as Jesus’ disciples, but some are now to be set apart also as apostles, those Jesus is “sending.” It is as if Jesus is forming the leadership core of his mission. And perhaps it’s precisely because he is at a point where he was been preaching and teaching in general that he now wants to get focused. Moreover, perhaps it’s precisely because he is now facing increasing opposition that he needs to name the team that he wants to accomplish his mission. And so he chooses twelve.
Note, however, that he doesn’t just choose them. He begins with prayer. A whole night in prayer. How often, I wonder, do we approach the significant decisions of our life, or the important transitions, or the major challenges with a significant time of prayer? What I appreciate about this scene is that Jesus recognizes the gravity of his decision and so makes time to bring that decision and all the other things he is contemplating to God in prayer, attuning himself to the mission God has entrusted to him. It is something, I think, that I could also do.
And then there’s the last line. Among those Jesus chooses is one who will betray him. The somber note amid the prayer and deliberation is a little jarring. For mixed up with the plans and expectancy and excitement that they all must have felt is a reminder that Jesus’ mission will ultimately lead him to Jerusalem or, more particularly, to a cross just outside Jerusalem. I wonder if that was part of the prayer, too.
Dear God: Beckon us to approach you always in prayer, bringing our hopes and dreams, fears and failures, decisions and challenges to you, trusting in your will and mercy as we know them both through your crucified Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love the opening line!!
I wish I could say I always wait on the Lord in prayer before a decision but…! Nevertheless that is precisely what I have been doing for the past two or three years. Sometimes it takes a while for God to get through to me what I am to do and other times it is very fast. Right now as I have just retired as a pastor (ELCIC) and am in process of preparing to move and wondering what’s next God has been opening some doors, closing others and leaving some thing open. This is a prayer I found in 2008 that has been one I use a lot:
Lord, what is it ypou want me to do? Where do you want me to be? help me to hear your voice and give me the coyurage to obey, knowing that you are in control and through your Holy Spirit all things are possible. May I be your faithful srevant in jesus’ name. Amen. (Bishop Christ Williams, retired Bishop of the Diocese of the arctic, Anglican Church of canada. On Eagles’ Wings’ Advent devotions December 2008)
Thank you for the blessing of In the Meantime… Yours in Christ. Carol Dennison