Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. Mark 3:13

[Editor’s Note: Happy New Year! Your devotional writing team is back, refreshed and ready for a new sermon series: Spiritual Power in Everyday Places, highlighting the spiritual authority of the believer. First, though, we're focusing on Jesus calling His twelve apostles (Mark 3:13-19).]

The Master had a plan. From the very first selection of these twelve men, Jesus would set in motion a movement that would continue for millenia. He did not call the highly educated, well-off or well-connected. No, He chose twelve ordinary men. They were fishermen, a tax collector, a betrayer even. Yet, Jesus would show them that they would do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God.

The Master spent time with them and instructed them. Jesus and these twelve men, His disciples, would walk together from town to town, miles at a time with hours to talk. They ate together and shared in the ordinary and mundane. Jesus taught them His Word. But not just by what He said in the synagogue, but also by what He did “on the way.” With His actions, Jesus demonstrated how to love the poor and sick, the widowed and orphaned. 

Then it was their turn. As was the custom of the teacher and apprentice relationship, Jesus gave the Twelve disciples instructions to go and practice what they had learned from the Master. Sure, they made mistakes; there were missteps and mishaps. But ultimately, these were more opportunities to learn. 

And so it goes. Over 2,000 years later, we have the same opportunity to be a part of God’s Master Plan. We, too, are chosen and called to be disciples of Jesus. We are invited to spend time with Him in the everyday moments of life and to experience His extraordinary affection. We are invited to learn from Him as we read His Word and listen to His teaching in the context of the local church. 

Now it is our turn. As we have learned from Jesus and His training of the Disciples, we are called to show and tell of Him. Just as with the Twelve, our practice of making disciples will not be neat and tidy. Nor will it run like a perfectly choreographed routine. However, our offering is in obedience to follow the model of Jesus. The fruit of our efforts is made glorious in the hands of the Master.   

Who are the people in your life that are following you? Perhaps you are a parent and have little (or teenage) apprentices in your home? Or maybe you are managing a group of people on a team or at work. Consider how you are modeling the Way of Jesus to those watching eyes. Why not write down some names the Lord has given you influence over. Then ask the Master to show you how you can demonstrate Him to those around you.