Choosing the apostles (Luke 6:12-15)

​JESUS is praying, alone and for long hours.But why does HE need to pray? Because while HE was on earth HE took the form of man. HE was fully GOD and fully MAN at the same time. Man was not created to be independent of GOD. As a MAN, JESUS was dependent on GOD showing us the only way for a man to live happily. Luke says that JESUS prayed a whole night, which shows that prayer with the one true GOD isn’t boring but actually satisfying and enjoyable. In the other gospels we see that JESUS often went to mountainside like these to pray, showing us how much HE enjoyed the one true GOD.

What we do in the night is reflected in our day. JESUS’ choice of apostles wasn’t based on fleshly decisions but by the will of GOD. HE definitely would have prayed for the apostles the next day. The term “apostles” meant “to send on a mission”. The condition to be an apostle is mentioned in Acts 1:21-22, when a person was needed to replace Judas after JESUS ascended into heaven. The choice of the apostles are interesting - tax collectors, fisher men, zealot! These guys did not have anything in common and often looked down on each other in the regular world. They lacked religious trainings unlike the Pharisees. We also saw the background of Simon and Matthew (Levi), which tells us one thing they all had in common. They knew they were sinners and the love of the SAVIOR compelled them to follow HIM.

People would have thought JESUS made the wrong choice of choosing a worthless bunch, but as we read in context JESUS chose them according to the will of GOD. GOD chose these bunch!! How amazing is that! HE chose them and gave them the greatest gift of all - HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

As we read before in Luke, JESUS came for the sick, not the righteous. HE chose them and gave the sick the greatest medicine - HIS life, our righteousness. And that weakest bunch was later send out to carry the strongest good news that changed the world. JESUS took on the form of MAN and humbled HIMSELF for the weak to be made strong in HIM.

Judas who betrayed JESUS was also part of GOD’s will. All for HIS glory and our good!!