More of Jesus' Disciples - Mark 3:18

Mark wrote how Jesus, “went up into a mountain, and called unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. And Simon he surnamed Peter. And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder”, and in chapter three and verse eighteen of his book, Mark shares more of the names of Jesus' disciples where we read:

And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

The verse reads, “And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, ...” Mark began with the words, “and Andrew” who was “a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, brother of Simon Peter, a disciple of John the Baptist, and afterwards an apostle of Christ. He is said to have been crucified at Patrae in Archaia, and his name means manly”, “and Philip” which means “lover of horses”, “and Bartholomew” or “son of Talmai” “and Matthew” which means “gift of Jehovah and was the son of Alphaeus”, “and Thomas” or “a twin”. Mark shared how Jesus selected these five men to be His close followers and disciples.

The verse continues, “and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,” Mark added the words “and James” which means “supplanter” “the son of Alphaeus” or “the offspring and prodigy of Alphaeus called the less”, “and Thaddaeus” which means “large hearted and courageous”, “and Simon” or “a rock or a stone and was called Zelotes or the Kanaites” “the Canaanite” which means “zealous and was known as Simon Zelotes”. Mark shared how Jesus also chose these three men as His disciples.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was assembling His close students who would not only be learning from Him, but also practicing His preaching and works so they might take over for Him when He left the earth. Jesus said, “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus began this process with these “twelve men”, and He continues to call people to “believe and trust” in Him today as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words hear the “Savior” call their name and yield.

Next time Mark shares the name of “Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".