Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Fourteen

We’ve established that Jesus chose twelve men as disciples (learners) to follow Him in ministry. They were unique individuals developing relationships through intimate experiences with teachable hearts. Each of The Twelve had to leave the benefits of the world (lower story), and embrace a heavenly perspective of life, the upper story, regardless of outward circumstances. Let’s review the distinctive character traits of these twelve (really eleven) devoted men.

• Andrew, with the heart of an evangelist, left behind his former life as a fisherman for a different kind of life. He showed humility as he stayed out of the limelight allowing his brother to shine.

• Simon Peter, the brother, learned how to trust Jesus with strong devotion, faithfulness, and endurance also experiencing the joy of restoration for his denials. An unlikely leader, yet Jesus’ choice.

• Philip showed humility by asking for help, was tested by Christ, and progressively learned to understand the upper story in ministry.

• Nathanael/Bartholomew was a man who expressed doubt about Jesus, however, maintainedintegrity. Privileged to make the connection of earth to heaven, he encourages believers to be assured of their final destiny.

• James, one of the ‘sons of thunder’, lacked self-centeredness allowing his brother John to take the stage in ministry. He learned to curb his thunder into a quiet battle cry becoming the first of The Twelve to die a martyrs death.

• John, one of Jesus’ Elite Three, experienced intimacy with his Lord and therefore understood better than anyone, the upper story of faith. He was trusted by Jesus and keenly aware of His far-future return.

• Thomas, literal twin or double-minded, followed Christ with internal struggles not unlike disciples today. His faith journey, though wavering, led him to believe without doubt.

• Matthew/Levi shows us the power of repentance leading to transformation. From the shadows devoted himself to serving his Lord, leaving behind physical wealth, told the Jesus’ story with a wealth of fulfilled prophecy. 

• James of Alphaeus, even though obscure, responded to Jesus’ calling wholeheartedly by counting the cost of discipleship and accepting his destiny. 

• Big-hearted Thaddeus/Judas of James learned how to ‘do ministry’ with the rest of The Twelve, at the same time, wasn’t afraid to ask Jesus questions. His heart was global evangelism helping us to understand the indwelling of God personally, regardless of where we live on the earth.

• Simon the Zealot was a passionate citizen whose fervor needed redirection from the kingdom of man to the Kingdom of God. His transformation by the gospel helps us understand freedom in Christ regardless of our outward circumstances. 

• Finally, Judas Iscariot was chosen as an outsider to show us the opposing heart of a disciple. He showed remorse, not needing forgiveness: there’s a difference. His Satan-filled heart, not Spirit-filled heart, reveals the contrast of an unbeliever to a believer and our final destiny.

Learning about Jesus’ choices for ministry gives us insight and a goal for our own lives as we seek those same character traits.