Jesus chose twelve disciples to train and to commission as Apostles for the purpose of founding the Church in the Book of Acts. These twelve are commonly divided into three separate groups of four disciples each.
- The first group of four was Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.
- Philip, Bartholomew who was Nathanael, Thomas, and Matthew formed the second group of four.
- The last group was comprised of James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus or Jude, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot.
Inner Circle-
Jesus revealed Himself on the Mt. of Transfiguration to Peter, James, and John. Andrew who brought Peter to meet the Lord is absent. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John into a house to raise the daughter of Jairus. Peter, James and John were with Christ during His agonized prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Peter and John-
Peter and John were present at the Crucifixion of Christ. John was close enough to hear Jesus inform him to care for His mother, Mary, while Peter was afar off watching from a distance after his denial of Christ three times, yet close enough to Christ on his walk past him to the cross to see the Lord look straight into his eyes, bringing him to bitter tears.
The Twelve-
Twelve disciples followed Jesus for 3 ½ years, eating, sleeping, watching, listening, and then being sent out to teach what Jesus taught. Judas betrayed Him and hung himself. Peter denied Him and wept bitterly. John stayed by the Cross and the Mother of Jesus to hear Christ’s last command to him. The rest hid behind closed doors fearful that they would be arrested and crucified also. Yet, they were all disciples of Christ, who reacted to the teachings of their Lord with different degrees of affection, loyalty and commitments. They all died a martyr’s death. (John was boiled, but unharmed was banished to Patmos where Christ gave him the Book of Revelation)
Jesus and Peter’s Forgiveness-
When Jesus resurrected from the grave, it was Peter and John who ran to the tomb to see it empty for themselves. John out ran Peter, but Peter was the one who rushed right past John into the tomb to examine the grave clothes. It was Peter whom Jesus asked three times; “Lovest thou me more than these?” Once for each time Peter had denied Him, letting Peter know that His Lord had forgiven Him.
One day Jesus asked His disciples; “Who do men say that I am?” Then He said, “But what about you? Peter was the one who spoke right up saying, “You are the Messiah!”
Spirituality not measured by the circle you belong to-
There has always been a mindset within the church that certain people were more spiritual than others.
Fellowship with Christ comes from being His Disciple, not from being a part of the inner circle. If you look at Revelation 21:14 you see that there are twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem. Each foundation is named after an Apostle of Jesus Christ. No matter where you fit in within the three circles of Christ’s followers, you are a Disciple of His, and He loves you just as much as He loves Peter, and John.
Not all are called to be Apostles, not all are called to be Pastors, not all are called to be teachers, not all are called to be evangelists, but all are called to be disciples. Not all can go as missionaries, but all can go to their knees in intercession for missionaries.
We may never be a Peter, or a John, but we can all give ourselves to prayer and fasting as Anna did even when she was 84 years old. We can all do what is right, and just with God and others. We can all give of our time and resources for His Kingdom.
Self-Worth Comes From God Alone-
The world teaches us to take our self-worth and identity from how others approve of our behavior. We are very careful how we impress others at work, at school, at the gym, at the restaurant, then when we are at home we feel empty inside because we have failed to impress God. All the adulations of man make us feel good for a season, but they soon fade away leaving that dull achy feeling deep in our heart and soul.
Jesus wants you to know who He says you are, not who others say you are.
Each disciple was of great worth to Jesus not because of whom they could be before others, but because of whom they became with Jesus as their Messiah.
First you have to know Him as your personal Messiah, then you can begin to know yourself as He knows you; His Disciple of great worth!
He has already written your Name on the palm of His Hand. (Isaiah 49:16) He is soon to give you a White Stone with your New Name written on it. (Revelation 2:17)
You are of Great Worth to Jesus Christ as His Believer in Him as your Lord and your God! He has your name on His palm! He has a new name written on a white stone ready to give to you soon!
