In this devotion, we’ll take a quick look at each of the disciples and where they came from. These men were unexpected choices made by Jesus to be His disciples.
These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Mark 3:16-19
Peter and his brother Andrew along with James and John, were all fishermen. Philip came from Bethsaida and he was more than likely a fisherman as well.
Bartholomew lived in Cana of Galilee. Scholars believed he came from royal blood or noble birth. Matthew lived in Capernaum. He was a publican or tax collector.
Next, we have Thomas. Little is known about him except by nature he was a pessimist. Yet, history proved later in his life he was a man of courage.
James the Younger, son of Alphaeus was from Galilee. His brother Thaddaeus was also an apostle and known as Judas the Zealot.
Simon, the Zealot, is one of the little-known followers of Jesus. He lived in Galilee. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish Nationalists.
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Historians believed that he came from Judah near Jericho. They also said that Judas was a violent Jewish Nationalist.
Why Jesus’ Unexpected Choices of Men Made Good Disciples
I don’t believe Jesus arbitrarily chose the first twelve guys he saw. He had a reason and a plan for each of them. Just like He has a plan for each of us. Let’s look at the lives and ministries of these men, even Judas, and apply their qualities to our lives.
Five of the twelve men Jesus chose were fishermen. The first assignment He made was directed at Peter and Andrew because of their occupation. Look what Jesus told them in Matthew 4.
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:18-19
They could relate to what Jesus called them to do because of what they did for a living. The Lord still does the same things today. Maybe you don’t throw a net into the water.
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