Being with Jesus

“And he appointed twelve … so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.” (Mark 3:14)

Jesus’ appointing of the twelve apostles was an act of love in that he called them to be blessed and to be a blessing.  The shape of these gifts had three parts: being with him, preaching and authority in the spiritual realm.

It seems though that the preaching and the authority are gifts dependant on the apostles responding first to the gift of being with him.  I am reminded of Act 4:13, where the Jewish elders and scribes were shocked at the authority of Peter’s preaching but recognized that he had been with Jesus.

Certainly, making an impact in the physical and spiritual realms is a gift from Jesus for those who would be his disciples.  But these gifts become unattainable idols without first devoting time to be with him who gives the gifts.

Thank you, Jesus for this simple reminder.

But what does it mean to be with Jesus?  Certainly during his ministry on earth, there were plenty of people around.

A quick walk through Mark 3 and it is clear that Jesus is always engaging people with heart questions.  And in Mark 3:5, we see how Jesus was angered and grieved by the hardness of the hearts of the Pharisees.  They refused to engage in his simple question, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?”

Jesus, let me hear your questions.  May I listen and respond rightly.