Jesus Called Twelve Apostles

1.      James the son of Zebedee was with Jesus Christ on three occasions where all twelve disciples where not included. They were the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Mount of Transfiguration, and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Andrew, who was the brother of Simon, was a disciple of John the Baptist.

Thomas, one of the twelve, his name means twin. Was he a twin?

   2.  An Apostle is a special witness of Jesus Christ, testifying of his divinity throughout the world. Originally the twelve called to be Jesus’ apostles were to be his closest disciples. After his death they were sent to teach the world of Him. In like fashion there are twelve apostles called in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  They serve as a Quorum. Their duties differ from other officers in that they are sent forth to testify of the Divinity of Jesus Christ and his resurrected from the dead.

  3.          The Apostles were prepared as missionaries because they would have physical and emotional needs. The instructions given to them prepared them for both. They were told not to take money or food with them. They were told not to take extra clothing or shoes with them. They were told to ask for worthy people when they came into town and stay with them. They were told to salute the house, which in Luke 10:5 means say “peace to this house.”  In this way they were taught to follow customs.

     Jesus told them where to go. They were to go first to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Later they would take the message to the entire world. He reminded them to tell the people that the gospel was available to them. He told them they would see families divided due to the work. It would pit believers against unbelievers, but that God comes first.

      He warned them they may be arrested and brought before kings and governors. They were to speak after being prompted by the Spirit, which would be the words of the Father. If they were being persecuted in a city, they were told to go to a different city. The work to be done is everywhere. He suggested they be cunning and use their common sense.

   He gave them courage by telling them they would be watched over. He reminds them that Heavenly Father knows them and knows their concerns and needs. He reminds them that those that can kill them physically can’t take away their salvation. He tells them they will be treated in a similar way he was treated. He tells them not to fear.  

4.    When Peter, James, and John were invited by the Savior to become fishers of men, they followed him when they got to land. They left behind their employment, homes, and  family members.  The easy answer is to just be like them, accept the invitation to follow Jesus without looking back. But in my real everyday life I get caught up in too much to do and I am not always anxiously engaged. I fall asleep while reading scriptures, I slack on my visiting teaching, or complain about my calling. It is at these times I am not following the example of Peter, James, and John. So when I catch myself murmuring or slacking with too much to do, I take the time to assess where my heart is. When I have a heart willing to follow Jesus, everything goes better.