Mark 3:13-15

Passage

Jesus leaves the crowd behind and goes up a mountain.  He calls those that He desired to come near to Him.  They came to Jesus.  Jesus appoints the Twelve – whom are later called the apostles.  These Twelve are specifically called to be with Jesus, go out, preach, and cast out demons. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus now leaves the crowd behind.  He goes up a mountain – which would be difficult for any kind of crowd to follow.  Again we see Jesus leaving a bad situation behind.  There is work to be done, and Jesus is not afraid to remove Himself from a bad situation and place Himself into the good situation so that the work can get done.  The movements of Jesus are very subtle in the Gospel of Mark, but if we are careful to look we can indeed see Jesus’ intent within the movement.

Why would Jesus want to go up the mountain?  What Is Jesus saying to the crowd as He goes up the mountain?  What is Jesus saying to God by going up the mountain and proactively getting Himself into a position to work?

Second Thought:

Jesus calls the Twelve.  They come to Him.  Notice that the first task listed in verse 14 is that “they might be with Jesus.”  This is discipleship.  This is discipleship stated so incredibly subtly.  Jesus knows that His disciples have to have proximity to Him.  They have to learn from Him.  They have to be near to Him and they have to have access to Him.  If they are going to be prepared, discipleship must come first.

Do you think this first task is often overlooked in this verse?  Why is it easy to overlook the description of “that they might be with Jesus?”  Why do we tend to overlook that our discipleship begins with taking the time to be with Jesus?

Third Thought:

After being with Jesus, His disciples are to go out, preach, and cast out demons.  In other words, they are to be active and confident in asserting their faith.  They are to go out – not stay where they are confident.  They are to preach – speak publically and boldly about what they believe.  They are to cast out demons – they are to make a difference in the world around them.  Jesus does not call disciples to an inward asceticism.  Jesus calls us to a bold and outward faith.

Do these words challenge?  How much “going out,” “preaching,” and “casting out of demons” do you do?  (Not necessarily those literal things.)

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:16-21