The Calling and Commissioning King: Mark 3:13-19

Intro

Have you ever been called upon to do a task you didn’t understand? If you have, what was the task. Who asked you to accomplish it? The summer before my senior year of college, I worked at ServPro. I was asked to do many things I didn’t understand. I was given orders to do a task and given tools to accomplish said task. I learned a lot that summer, including not everyone in authority positions are good leaders. Also, some things you must do even when you don’t fully understand why or how they will be done. In the story we are covering today, we encounter the Lord Jesus, who is the King of God’s Kingdom. King Jesus calls a group of men to do tasks I’m sure they didn’t completely understand. However, as they would find out time and time again, the one who sent them was wise, powerful, and present. All He required was necessary and they would not be left to themselves to accomplish the task. Jesus would call these men to proclaim and demonstrate the restoration of God’s reign and He empowered them with the spiritual power, or tools they needed to accomplish it. In our time together, I will retell this event as Mark records it, seek to help you understand it, and provide some applications for you in the conclusion. The text may be divided into thee scenes.

Body

In the first scene, witness the King’s Call and Comers: 13

Mark tells us that Jesus ascended a mountain. Luke informs us that he went there and prayed all night (Lk 6:12). Mountains bear significance in Jesus’ ministry throughout Mark. The event here, his transfiguration, the sending of the twelve, the triumphal entry, the proclamation against Jerusalem, and the crucifixion would all take place on mountains. What Jesus does here is like what happened to Israel around Mt. Sinai after the Exodus. A people of God's possession are going to be formed on the foundations laid here. He prayed because he was about to do something important.

Jesus calls those whom He desires to Himself. Those he calls, are men of His own purposeful choice. They did not choose Jesus. He chose them. This is like when an infant is adopted. The adoptive parents choose the child and makes them their own. The infant is passive in this. They become a member of a family from which they did not originate. Of course, this analogy is not perfect. Still, it illustrates Jesus takes purposeful initiative in the call of those who He would eventually commission. Those who He called came to him. They listened to the call and ascended the mountain to their Master, who chose them.

After witnessing the King’s Call and Comers, Observe the King’s Choice and Commission: 14-15

King Jesus makes twelve. A new creation is taking place here. The twelve are made into something they were not. These twelve He also called apostles. An apostle was more than a messenger; it was someone who was endowed with the authority and message of the one who sent them. The apostles would eventually be the foundations of the Church of Christ, the fulfillment of Israel, the multi-national redeemed people of God.

The purposes of calling and making the twelve are described in verse 14 and 15. He made them "so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons." They were called to be in close relationship with Jesus. Out of this intimate relationship, they were sent as His messengers to tell about Him and His reign in preaching and demonstrate Him and His reign in exorcisms.

The Kingdom of God was at hand as John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed. It arrived in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The weapons that would expand this Kingdom would not be the sword, but the Word and Power of the King, who accompanied and empowered His messengers. Jesus is not like the worldly kings of old, nor is he like the rulers of now. He is a King who is not of this world and the Kingdom He established and is building grows in ways not common to fallen man. The powerful Word of King overcomes the powers of darkness, frees the enslaved, and rolls back the curses of the fall. God and man would again be in restored relationship through the mediatorial reign of the God-Man, Jesus Christ. However, I am getting ahead of Mark in pointing to the substance of what is here shadowed. King Jesus chose twelve and commissioned them to tell of and demonstrate the restoration of God's reign among men in His coming.

In reviewing this story, you are a witness and observer of the King’s call and comers and choice and commission. Now Consider the King’s Chosen and Commissioned: 16-19

The final portion of this story gives us a list of the twelve, who Jesus also called apostles. Many of them we know very little about. Four of them receive more emphasis in this list. The first three are the inner circle of our Lord: Simon, James, and John. They are given special names by Jesus. Simon is called Peter. Peter, though flawed, would become a key stone in the foundation of Jesus' Church. He would confess Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. He would preach to thousands. He would lead as a pastor and apostle. He would write Holy Scripture. James and John, as brothers, were given a nickname, meaning sons of thunder. This may have come from their rashness or their zeal for Christ. Regardless, they, also, would be prominent in the establishment of the Church. John would write five books in our New Testament. James was the first of the twelve to be Martyred, according to Luke (Acts 12:2).

Judas Iscariot is the final disciple of the list Mark gives. Mark gives special attention to the infamous act of this disciple. Look at verse 19, "and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." Jesus said his disciples would fast when He is taken away from them. Here, Mark foreshadows an aspect of that day. Judas would betray the one who called him. He would do it for money. The love of money can cause the most wicked of deeds, including betraying the Son of God. Yet, what Judas, religious authorities, and the Roman powers willed for evil, God willed for good (Gen 50:20; Acts 2:23).

The rest of the apostles are mentioned here and there in the Gospels and Acts. They were essential, but even more critical than they or their names is the one they represented, namely King Jesus.

Conclusion/Application

Witnesses to the the King’s call and comers. Observers of the Kings’ choice and commission. Considerers of the King’s chosen and commissioned. What would God have you to think about this story? What does He want you to believe? What does He want you to do? Here is the big idea I want you to walk away with, the charge I want you to obey: Trust King Jesus as the faithful and powerful bringer of God’s Kingdom. Jesus discussed and demonstrated the coming Kingdom of God. He amaze crowds, dominated demons, and healed diseases. He forgave and dined with sinners. He is the second Adam, Eve’s serpent slaying seed, Abraham’s nation blessing Son, David’s ever-reigning heir, Isaiah’s Servant, Daniel’s Son of Man, true Israel, and the bringer of the greater Exodus. He is God the Son who became man to establish the reign of God over a redeemed humanity who He gave His life for as a ransom. He rose victoriously over the Devil and death. He ascended to God’s right hand where He reigns over the minds and hearts of His people. The ministry Jesus’ apostles did in His earthy ministry was a shadow of what they would do when His Kingdom had been established. They would be the foundations of the Church. They would proclaim the glorious gospel of King Jesus the risen Lord. He is worthy of faith and trust. So, yes, heed the call of their preaching and trust King Jesus as the faithful and powerful bringer of God’s Kingdom. I will conclude with four charges grounded in the fact that Jesus is King.

Trust King Jesus and have childlike faith: These disciples heard the call of Jesus. He chose them and they responded by coming to Him. Christian, you likewise have heard the call of Jesus. He is savior and Lord. He is your hope in life and in death. He hasn’t and won’t ever fail you. You came to Him by faith. You received His gift of salvation by faith. You embraced the call of discipleship by faith. Jojo illustrates the type of faith we must have in Jesus when she runs top speed into my arms and falls right as she gets too me. She knows I will catch her. Similarly, we know our redeemer who called us from darkness to light, who saved us from bondage to freedom, who died that we might have life, won’t forsake or fail us. Trust King Jesus and have childlike faith.

Trust King Jesus and embrace humble obscurity: Like many of the apostles listed in our text, most of us will be forgotten in the minds of men and lost in the oblivion of church history. The mention of Jimmy Johnson will more likely recollect in future generations not the preacher of Vista Baptist Church, but the football coach or NASCAR driver. We must be okay with this. Christian, you must be okay with this. Jesus is what your life is to be about. So long as you lift His name high that is all that matters. So long as you cleave to Him, men may forget you, but He won’t. The call of the Christian is not a call to worldly glam or glory, it is a call to humble obscurity and making the name of King Jesus famous. Trust King Jesus and embrace humble obscurity.

Trust King Jesus and preach royal truth: the main ministry of the apostles in Jesus earthly ministry and after His heavenly ascension was preaching. They took the glorious gospel of Christ wherever they went. The Spirit empowered them and the words they proclaimed to convert the masses. We are the fruits of their labors. As their fruit, we too are to give ourselves to the planting of seeds. We are to preach the Gospel. Yes, not all of you will be skilled speakers, nor will most of you see masses converted through your labor. However, you are called to contribute in some way to this mission that Jesus has given us. Give your time in prayer and worship. Give your money to those who are gifted and qualified to take the gospel out in our community and the world. Jesus is King and we should proclaim His reign in our actions and with our words. Trust King Jesus and preach royal truth.

Trust King Jesus and avoid tragic apostasy: Unlike Judas we must be careful to watch our life and doctrine. Let us not be deceived into a mere outward expression of religion that doesn’t bear the hidden marks of true saving faith. There will be many Judas’ who outwardly appear to be followers of Jesus, but inwardly are lost. Trials, tests, and temptations will pull at you. Life will be difficult. Will you stand firm in your conviction that Jesus is King? Will you hold tightly to the one who saved you from your sins? That is my prayer. Let us not spit in the face of our Redeemer through licentious or legalistic living. Instead, Christian, reflect on the beauty of your savior and the great salvation He has accomplished for you. Look forward to the glory that awaits you in eternity. In gratitude, confess, repent of, and mortify your sins. In gratitude, persevere whatever assails you and lift up the name of Jesus. Trust King Jesus and avoid tragic apostasy.

Unbeliever, you may be hearing this information for the first time. Jesus is king, whether you believe it or not. Are you a part of His Kingdom? No, not presently. You are His enemy. You are condemn in your father Adam. You are lost and a sinner. If Jesus returns now, it will not go well for you. Your end will be destruction and your food tears of misery as you curse God into eternity. Oh, sinner, do you want to be a part of Jesus’ Kingdom? I offer you the ticket of entry. Trust in and rely upon Jesus as the promised Messiah and your Savior. Come to Him today, while mercy and grace are still extended. His yolk and burden are light. His rest that He gives is forever. His grace, mercy, and forgiveness are what you need. Trust King Jesus.

To all of you, Jesus is King. You have seen His call and comers, choice and commission, and chosen and commissioned. I have charged you to Trust King Jesus and have childlike faith, embrace humble obscurity, preach royal truth, and avoid tragic apostasy. Jesus lived, died, was buried, rose, ascended, and will one day return. Long live the King.