Jesus “appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:14-15)

Think of a team you have been part of: at work, in a neighborhood, as a volunteer. Do you recall  the purpose of that team? What kind of people were chosen? Those with similar abilities, backgrounds, and personalities? A combination? Did your team immediately gel? Did you receive instruction? Were goals achieved?

With a clear goal in mind, Jesus assembled each member of His team intentionally (Mark 3:13-19). A more disparate group might be hard to find: a despised-by-many tax collector, a political zealot probably in trouble with authorities, uneducated fishermen, a future thief and betrayer. Vastly different occupations, jarring personalities, various agendas. 

Such a combination seems destined for failure, but somehow it worked. How? Because they had the same leader we have today: Jesus, who sees beyond who we are right now, who the apostles were right then. He knows how we can sharpen each other with our differences, how our distinctive personalities shape our abilities, how our various skills will eventually gel to achieve His purposes. 

That rag-tag group also worked because they had a leader who clarified purpose for the group so that inevitable differences in personality and various levels of ability would help, not hinder, progress. Jesus’ purpose is clear: “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (3:14-15). 

While this will be their life’s consuming purpose, these men aren’t prepared yet. But they say yes. They weren’t extraordinary men; we aren’t extraordinary members of the team (aka church) either. But the God we serve is. Jesus equipped his apostles; He’ll equip us, too. But it has to start with a close relationship with Jesus: “be with Him” (v.14).  Little would have been learned, little would have been accomplished for eternal good without that personal fellowship between the apostles and their Lord. That is just as true for our groups.

Will you say...have you said yes to Godly teamwork? Perhaps you’re a part of the hospitality committee, Thursday night visitation, a weekly small group, or the building and grounds crew. You may not always see that teamwork as propelling the gospel, but we’re all working toward that same purpose Jesus gave the apostles: to tell, to minister, to see lives transformed (a version of “casting out demons”). 

None of the apostles started out as teachers or preachers, yet look what they accomplished. Thousands believed in the first years. Their influence spread worldwide. While your group may not preach to thousands or cast out demons, you may well dispel the darkness in someone’s soul as they see you smiling at the coffee table, working hard to spread mulch for a shut-in, passing out gospel tracks, or welcoming someone new to your small group. Follow your Leader.