Are You Sure, Lord?

It is said that the secret of successful leadership is to get the right team around you. If so, Jesus once again defies conventional wisdom. After a night of prayer he selected 12 from his wider group to be especially close to him (Mark 3:14) and the primary emissaries of his kingdom. They were unlikely individuals and even more unlikely to be a good team.

Four were fishermen, who, like many fishermen, seem somewhat superstitious, judging by their reactions to some of Jesus’ miracles. Peter often engaged his mouth before his brain. Andrew, his brother, was an early disciple, good at introducing others to Jesus. James and John seemed to be volatile characters. Philip occasionally plays a significant role at a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Bartholomew isn’t mentioned elsewhere, though he is usually identified with Nathaniel. Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector and so profited from the Roman occupation of Judea. Thomas, a twin, was unfortunately forever to be labeled a doubter. James is distinguished from the earlier one as “the younger.” Simon was a political activist associated with a group of Jewish nationalists, some of whom resorted to armed resistance against the Romans. Judas, who may be called Thaddaeus elsewhere, asked a question at the Last Supper. The second Judas was the group’s treasurer, who betrayed Jesus. Iscariot was not his surname but means he came from a place called Kariot.

The twelve, without Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15-26), became the new-covenant equivalent of the twelve tribal heads of Israel, denoting Jesus’ inauguration of the new age and new community. Jesus trusted his mission to these unlikely men. He taught and molded them, and they did not disappoint once the Holy Spirit came on them at Pentecost.

Can you identify potential leaders in mission whom you can encourage and support in training and prayer (however unfinished an article they currently seem)?