Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Micah 3-5
     New Testament Reading: Mark 3

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons (Mark 3: 13-15).

The sun sparkled across the cool blue water of the Sea of Galilee on one side and the lush green grass and beautiful wildflowers of the open field waved in the breeze on the other. The rolling mountains surrounding the sea could be seen in the distance, and the boats and nets of fishermen dotted the shoreline. The pleasing aroma of the bright yellow flowers of the mustard tree filled the air and the chirping of the birds nestled in their branches was the only sound you could hear.

It was the ideal location for Jesus and His disciples to get away from the crowds of the city and the watchful eye of the Pharisees. After Jesus had healed the man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were plotting to kill Him (Mk 3:1-6). But Jesus’ time had not yet come. Jesus and His disciples departed in a deliberate act of separation from His enemies. Later, when His time drew near, Jesus and His disciples would journey to Jerusalem to fulfill all that Jesus came to do. But for now, Jesus still had a ministry to do. He still had to choose and train His Apostles.

Unfortunately, the seclusion did not last. The word about Jesus’ miracles had spread far and wide. A sizeable crowd gathered from all over Galilee and Judea. Some came to be healed, while others just wanted to be entertained. The crowd grew so large that Jesus told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, so that the crowd wouldn’t crush him. Since he had healed many, all who had diseases were pressing toward him to touch him (v9&10). Jesus, the faithful servant of His Father, had compassion on the multitudes and spent the day healing the sick and driving out unclean spirits.

When evening came, Jesus went up a mountain by Himself and spent the night in prayer (Lk 6:12-13). As the morning sun broke the horizon, Jesus summoned His disciples. He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles (v14). These were the men He would train to lead His church. Those He would commission to preach the Gospel into all the world.

Jesus used a variety of methods to train His Apostles, including formal lectures, question and answer, and devising tests to see how well they have learned. But primarily He trained His disciples by being with them; walking with them, talking with them, eating with them, laughing with them, and listening to them. He welcomed their questions, just as He does ours today. There is no substitute for spending time with the Savior; time spent with Him in prayer and in the study of His Word. The daily awareness of His presence energizes us for His work—just as it did the Apostles.