Jesus Calls His Disciples
Notes
Transcript
Open your bible with me to Luke 6:1-11
Life is full of decisions: some big decisions, some small decisions. If we aren’t careful, decisions can weigh us down. They can even cause us to freeze and do nothing. At different moments in our lives, we are faced with more major decisions. Like choosing a career path, or there is a moment of crisis, trying to discern our purpose. In these moments, we often desire clarity. And it’s funny, sometimes we feel like we get it, and other times we don’t.
In all of them, big or small, usually, what it reveals is that we don’t seek wisdom through prayer like we should. Prayer, to say it trivially, is like the gym membership we have but never use. In which we have access to resources and supply that we not only desire, and maybe need most, but ironically we never go there like we should. I mean, I think most of us, if we were honest, would say we don’t pray like we should. Maybe we pick it up for a season, but then we feel like we just fall off and fail, more than we succeed in a consistent prayer life. Most Christians would have to say, I just stink at prayer. Even this week, that was the wrestle within my own heart. Why don’t I pray like I should, even when I know I should be praying? Why am I more content in thinking about how to pray and how to cultivate prayer than actually praying?
That’s my own personal confession, but I think you are likely the same. We struggle here. I think that’s all of us, if we are honest. But most of what troubles us is a result of a lack of prayer. I’m convinced of that. That prayerlessness is the root of much pain and struggle in this life. And even knowing that, we still don’t pray like we ought. And it’s convicting and challenging to see that’s the opposite of what Jesus did. That is when we find Jesus herein this passage, faced with a pivotal turning point in his ministry, in choosing the 12 disciples, whom he calls apostles, before He acts, he prays! He even prays all night.
This passage caused me to really slow down as we go throughLuke. We’ve been moving at a pretty high clip. But here, there really isn’t a straightforward way to summarize this section of Luke without just slowing down a little bit. So, while a short passage of scripture reveals to us a powerful pattern for life and ministry. It reminds us that deep and consistent prayer should ground all that we do. It shows us the importance of following Jesus in costly discipleship. It reveals to us the importance of serving with gospel purposes until the end with endurance.
Sermon Summary: Pray earnestly, follow Christ’s call, and serve with gospel purpose.
12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
This is God’s word. Let’s pray.
-------------------------------------------------
I. Prioritize Prayer Like Jesus (v.12)
I. Prioritize Prayer Like Jesus (v.12)
We’ve already mentioned the tension that we feel regarding prayer. Perhaps it’s been said that our last resort is Jesus' first priority. And here you have Luke showing us the importance of Jesus' continued ministry. And here is the moment, he is faced with a vital ministry decision. Namely, who it is that Jesus is going to spend the next three years of life and ministry with. Who it is that will be given authority and whose teaching will be the foundation of the church that Jesus will build. It was a moment that required deliberation, wisdom, but more than anything, prayer. Moreover, it was during a particular time when Jesus prayed.
12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
In those days, which days, well, contextually, it was the days in which Jesus had been experiencing less than favorable results, at least in the flesh. He’s been questioned by the Pharisees. He saw His own people, when confronted with the need of faith, walk away in doubt. Now, here is Jesus faced with a decision. In those days, on the heels of conflict, adversity, and trial. And in those days, Jesus prays!
Jesus gets alone to pray. He goes up a mountain. And he spent the entire night in prayer, continuing to pray. And then, we stop and just ask the question. I mean, why is Jesus praying? There are a few different answers to that question. But one of the answers is that because Luke is showing us that much of Jesus as God in the flesh, is conducted in a human body, and as truly human. As a man, he has needs – he has to eat, he has to breathe, he has to pray! That is to show that as humans, we are made for that type of intimacy and communion with God. That Jesus prays!
So, Jesus is praying also because it serves as an example to us. To pray. Here, Jesus is teaching us. And later, he will teach his disciples how to pray, but here he is showing us, by example, how to pray. Jesus is praying for wisdom, and before His decision of who he will do life with as His disciples, who he calls Apostles. Jesus prays!
And like a drum that rolls, I’ve said that over and over, and over. Jesus prays! Jesus prays. And if it was a priority for Jesus to pray. Who has all wisdom. Who is very God of God. God in the flesh, the Son of Man. The Messiah. Prays. How much more ought we to pray!
Our world, as we mentioned last week, is so fast-paced. It’s rushed. We feel scattered. We feel frantic. And even more of a temptation, if you are like me, to figure it out yourself. And what is often missing is prayer. We rush decisions, rush ministry, rush leadership, rush implementation, just to get the ball rolling, rush forward, and yet we are so slow to pray.
And lest you think this is just some one-off moment – We constantly see Jesus doing this right.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
So, when we read this passage, I’m sure it does for you as it did me. To challenge us to consider our lack of prayerlessness. Convicts us of our wandering and hesitancy to really live in light of the power and comfort available to us from God, in prayer. For living in our own strength, instead of what God supplies. For our neglect to obey the command of God to pray! See it not that we are just hesitant to pray, but we are guilty of not praying. Not obeying the word, not obeying God in coming to him in communion, fellowship, and our need of Him.
But there is also comfort here in Jesus praying, lest you forget the gospel. One of the things Jesus prays for is that Jesus also prays for us. John 17:18-21
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Jesus prays that we would be sanctified and that we would be unified.
But that’s not all that Jesus does. He doesn’t just pray for us. He also prays in our place. This is the gospel beauty. That Jesus not only died in your place as a substitute. He not only rose from the dead on your behalf. But that in His active life. All of Jesus' righteousness is credited unto me. And the reality is that Jesus prays not only for you. But He prays in your place, fulfills God’s righteous command to pray, on your behalf. Even in your prayerlessness, and even in your lack of devotion, and inconsistency. And your half-heartedness. Of half the time, I can’t even focus on what I’m trying to say, because I feel flustered or confused or foggy-headed. Like, what’s the point? I’m so inconsistent and incomplete. But in the gospel, Jesus’s prayers have been credited unto me. And my small, simple, faint, weak prayers have been perfected by the perfection of Jesus!
So, we should pray! And you should pray. We need prayer! We need communion with God. We need fellowship with the Lord. We need wisdom! But we don’t pray from a deficit. We aren’t earning God’s merit. We don’t need a runway to get into the groove or a rhythm forGod to really hear me. No, we pray as Children, who have been redeemed. Loved, cherished….and to a loving Father who delights in His son, Jesus, and thereby delights in our petitions, requests, and needs.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
My point is that you might not be motivated by guilt, but by the Gospel. To be driven to God in gratitude, thanksgiving, and joy. Not shame, guilt, dread, or fear! But moreover, we are driven. To pray and delight in the gospel!
---------------------------------------------------
II. Respond to Christ’s Sovereign Call (v.13–16)
II. Respond to Christ’s Sovereign Call (v.13–16)
So, Jesus prays all evening, and now the time has come for Him to call to Himself 12 disciples.
13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
The term disciple means learner or pupil. But this isn’t like he’s a bookworm or intellectual nerd, but instead an devoted follower. Jesus has many who have been following him. We are told of great multitudes who followed Jesus. Of as many as 120, possibly more. Yet, Jesus has been praying to call out and appoint only 12 to his inner circle of discipleship and apostleship.
This was not a random number, nor merely a practical leadership choice. The number twelve is deeply symbolic, pointing us back to the twelve tribes of Israel—the covenant people of God. By calling twelve Apostles, (which means sent one), Jesus was making a clear theological statement: He is forming a new covenant community, rooted in Himself, that fulfills what Old Testament Israel pointed toward.
This is beautifully pictured in Revelation 21:14, where the names of the twelve apostles are inscribed on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem. Just as the twelve tribes formed the foundation of old covenant Israel, so the twelve apostles now stand as the foundation of the new covenant people—God’s church, composed of Jew and Gentile alike, united by faith in Jesus Christ.
So, when Jesus appoints the twelve in Luke 6:13, He is doing more than calling leaders. He is signaling the inauguration of a new people—a new, better, and true Israel—not marked by ethnicity or lineage, but by faith in the Messiah. The church is not a parenthesis in God’s plan, but the very fulfillment of His promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed—Jesus Christ. This truth should shape how we understand our identity as the people of God: rooted in Christ, built on apostolic witness, and living as the redeemed community that spans all ages, anticipating the day we will dwell forever in the city whose foundations bear their names.
And yet, this is the Lord’s sovereign will. His sovereign choice and choosing. And in the same way, we have been called by the Lord’s grace, not by our merit. It’s not because we are any more worthy than the next, but in the Lord’s kindness, he has saved us and called us. John 15:16
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
And here we have 12 names. That is intentionality. And Specific. The call to Christ is not some vague call, but He has called us by name, out of darkness into the Light of Christ! Oh man, to be called by name into the gospel of his grace. As a child, as a beloved Son of God in Jesus, recipient of the promised inheritance in Christ!
And the Lord is going to use the men to accomplish his purposes and will. To know that God calls men who are less than perfect.
Guys like Simon – or Peter, who’s always listed first, and he’s likely a first among equals. Who Catholics want to say He was the first pope, they are wrong on multiple fronts, but I find it interesting, because in Luke, we know that Peter is married. He’s got a wife and was a fisherman.
We see guys like Andrew, who was Peter’s brother. Also, a fisherman. That’s just a way of communicating; these were just regular dudes. One of the guys. They weren’t scholars. They weren’t THEOLOGIANS, per se. They were fisherman.
We see another set of brothers and fishermen – James and John. James would be among the first of the twelve to be martyred (Acts 12:2). And then, his brother John – that is the beloved Disciple, who wrote the gospel of John and Revelation, lived the longest of the Apostles.
Guys like Phillip, who was from Bethsaida, and who introduced Nathaniel to Jesus. But one who often struggled with spiritual understanding and insight of all that Jesus was doing. Like at the feeding of the 5,000, who asked, 'Where can we get food for all these people?' Or Jesus, can you show us the Father?
Then Bartholomew (meaning: son of Tolmai) is clearly the Nathanael of John’s Gospel (John 1:45-49). Who said to Phillip, can anything good come out of Nazareth, and then goes and behold Jesus of Nazareth. Other than that, we don’t know much about him, but according to tradition, he went to India and was there crucified.
Then, Matthew, also known as Levi, whom we met in Luke 5, was a tax collector. He was just the worst of the worst. He was a thief, a former extortioner.
Then Thomas – or the TWIN (John 11:16) and man, the one thing we know about Thomas, is that he asked the wrong question? And now is forever known as Doubting Thomas. In which you see his despondency and also his devotion to the Lord. He just always wants to be near Jesus, and doesn’t want to lose him.
Then we have James, the son of Alphaeus, so as not to be confused with John’s brother, or with Jesus’ brother James. He’s sometimes called James the Lesser, because we know less about him, and because he was also a little man. He’s just a little guy.
Simon – who called the Zealot. Zealots were those opposed to Rome to the degree that they wanted to overthrow them. He was a former Jewish Nationalist before the Lord changed him for His glory. Who has now called him to pursue a better Kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ, than a kingdom on earth. And Jesus brings both a former zealot, who wanted to overthrow Rome, and Matthew, a former employer of the Roman government, and Jesus brings them both together and calls both to unity, to Follow Him! - To leave their former way of life behind and run after Christ and His kingdom now!
Then you have Judas, the son of James. And the gospel writers go out of their way to make sure to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. You’ll hear them say something like Judas…not Iscariot. Because who wants to be confused with Judas Iscariot? He was also called Thaddaeus.
And then, we have Judas Iscariot. Who we know betraysJesus for thirty pieces of silver. It’s clear something captivated Judas’ heart more and allured him away from Christ. But Judas didn’t start out there. I mean, after all, he was a treasurer. Like, no one is getting that position because they have the reputation of stealing money, dipping into the pot, and stealing. But, by all accounts, and on the surface, he was trustworthy. But in time, his true heart will be revealed. When he takes an opportunity to profit himself and betrays Christ for the love of money. And tells the religious leaders where Jesus was, and even points him out, by betraying Jesus with a kiss. But it doesn’t end for Judas; he doesn’t ride off into the sunset; instead, it ends with his own death. And scripture speaks of great woe regarding Judas and his revealed sinful heart. Who would eventually be replaced by Matthias in Acts 1.
These are the men Jesus prayed for. These are the men whom Jesus called and chose to follow him and appointed them as Apostles. To be a part of his ministry team. And none of them were a mistake. Even Judas was chosen for a purpose to accomplish the Lord’s plan and to unfold the passion of Christ’s death. John 6:70-71
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
These are marked men, called men. Not perfect men. God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong. And that’s what the Lord does. None of us is an Apostle. None of us are called to be an Apostle. If someone today claims to be an Apostle, just lovingly correct them that they are either humbly mistaken or outright lying. But nonetheless, the truth of this call is a call of humble service of the Lord. One established and confirmed in the sovereignty of God and the grace of God.
And in the same way, we too have been graciously called to Christ, called by name to serve him. To go as ambassadors of Christ in His kingdom! We are who we are in Christ – by grace! The same grace that called these twelve to service in Christ’s kingdom. And that we might serve with gospel purposes in that kingdom!
---------------------------------------------------
III. Serve with Gospel Purpose in a Broken World (v.16)
III. Serve with Gospel Purpose in a Broken World (v.16)
I want to pull back just a little here and highlight aspects of this passage of Jesus, who prays for his disciples. And prays for them, for the selection of them, and appointment of them, but also in what He is calling them to. We see this again in John 17:9. These are the ones who were given to Him by the Father. And none were by accident. Even Judas, whom I want to interact with again briefly in a moment.
But before I get there, I cannot separate Jesus' prayer for them from the call of Jesus on them. What I mean by that is that Jesus knows what He is calling these disciples to. He is calling them to a life of discipleship, and it wasn’t a luxury. In fact, it was a call, just like He calls us to take up a cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus. The call of Jesus isn’t a call to our comfort, but our conformity to follow Jesus, even unto death. And it’s to that end that Jesus knows he’s calling these men. To follow Jesus into the same suffering and death, he was to go Himself.
This is because the call to follow Jesus is not a call to take up our comfort…or to take up a mirror, or to take up our pillow. But to take up our cross, and follow Jesus. This is going to be hard, difficult, and so don’t be surprised when it costs you, even your very life!
Peter was likely crucified upside down in Rome under Emperor Nero. His brother Andrew was said to be crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece, preaching to the crowd as he died. James, the son of Zebedee, was the first apostle martyred, executed by the sword in Jerusalem under King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2). John, the brother of James, is the only disciple believed to have died a natural death. Though persecuted and exiled to the island of Patmos, he lived out his final years in Ephesus. Philip was said to have been crucified in Asia Minor after converting a Roman proconsul’s wife. Bartholomew, possibly identified with Nathanael, is believed to have been flayed alive and then beheaded in Armenia for preaching the gospel. Matthew, the former tax collector and author of the first Gospel, was likely killed by the sword in Ethiopia or Persia. Thomas, known for initially doubting the resurrection, took the gospel as far as India, where he was speared to death. James, the son of Alphaeus (often called James the Lesser), is thought stoned or crucified in Egypt. Simon the Zealot may have been crucified or sawn in half in Persia after a bold missionary journey. Thaddeus (also known as Judas son of James) was likely martyred in Syria or Persia, possibly beaten to death. Though the historical details vary, early Christian tradition consistently holds that the disciples endured persecution and death for the cause of Christ!
And then the odd and obvious man out – Judas Iscariot. Who was chosen for God’s sovereign purpose, and whose true nature was revealed to be false. And a traitor. Literally – a betrayer. In that he traded his allegiance from Christ to something else–something lesser!!
And man, I’ll be honest, that just hits me strange now. And the longerI follow Jesus, the harder it hits as I see men and women whom I saw as faithful abandon their calling and forsake Christ. They fall away. I think about good men whom I went to seminary with. By all account faithful men, who I thought were brothers, others who I served with, fall away from Christ. They walk away from ministry, the church, and from Christ.
I think it’s only human to be jolted by that reality. And we could in pride say, that will never be me. But no doubt those men and women likelysaid the same. But instead in humility. Say, if not for grace, I’d fall away too! 1 Corinthians 10:12
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Because the same grace that calls us, also keeps us! That we would be kept and held always near the cross of Christ. Remember the gospel call. Continue in the gospel and not abandon Christ and His gospel for something lesser, something fleeting, and passing away in this world!
But instead, that we might rest in the foundation built for us. In the calling of the Apostle – Ephesians 2:19-21
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
To not run in our own strength. Or in our own power. But to run instead to the word of God, and the people of God. And most of all to the person of Christ, and our rest in Christ. Which brings us right back to the emphasis of our need for wisdom and our need for prayer. Our need for humble dependence on Christ, who has called us, but also to look to Christ to keep us as well!
Beloved, if there is one thing I continually learn, it’s how weak I am. I think we all want to project an image of strength. We can do it. We are strong. We don’t need anyone else. Such as I do, but the Lord has a way of bringing out and exposing our weakness. That HE might receive glory in our weakness, rather than we receive glory in our strength.
And that’s what brings us full circle here, isn’t it? Men and women who struggle to pray. Not because we don’t have time. We’ve got time. It’s not because we don’t think about it. We think about it. It’s not because we don’t know we should. We know. The most obvious reason we don’t pray is that we think of ourselves as something we’re not. I’m strong enough, I’m wise enough, I’m strong enough, I can figure it out on my own means. This one, I can handle. It’s hard, getting heavier, but I can bear it!! I can do it!
That we wouldn’t forget the gospel that calls us in the other direction. You are weak, sinful, and dependent entirely on Christ for help! So serve in light of that reality. Keep on serving and trusting in that reality. Follow Christ in light of the gospel call on you, in humility! And pray earnestly! Because you need God’s strength, wisdom, power, and grace every day. In every moment, and in all things! Convicted by our lack of prayer, perhaps…., but not in despair. But in hope of the finished work of Jesus on our behalf!
Sermon Summary: Pray earnestly, follow Christ’s call, and serve with gospel purpose.
