Prayerfully Called, Chosen, and Named by Christ

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor (Luke 6:12-16).

After spending a few Sabbaths in the Synagogue, Jesus spent a whole night in prayer. For those who believe the bottom line of discipleship is imitating Christ, His example of all-night prayer is quite convicting. How often do we forsake the luxury of sleep for the sweet communion of prayer? Why did God the Son give this whole night to intentional intercession? It was not for Himself. It was for His disciples. He had special plans for a special few. The Spirit reminds us here that Christ saved us so that as His new creation, we might discover and fulfill the very work of God… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). As He prayed all night for the first disciples, He continues to intercede for us today… “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). The Spirit inspired Luke to take us deeper here and He shows us how Jesus prayerfully commissioned the first twelve “apostles” (Greek: apostolos – one that is sent, an ambassador, delegate, or messenger). While some argue that the office of apostle was discontinued after the original apostles, the Spirit exhorts all diligent disciples to aspire to become effective ambassadors for Christ… “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We learn here that His genuine messengers are prayerfully called, chosen, and named by Christ.

Effective ambassadors of Christ are prayerfully called to discipleship by Christ Himself… “And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (Matthew 4:21-22). The first step toward success in sharing the good news of Christ is to be growing as a diligent disciple and follower of Christ. Earnest disciples are available and eager to step up to greater levels of kingdom service because they recognize and respond to the voice of the Master… “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

Productive messengers of Christ believe they are chosen for the work they do. They are not driven by selfish ambition but have a humble view of themselves. They believe Christ has chosen them for their work not because they have some obvious natural ability, but because they know He will get the glory as He empowers them for the unique mission He chose for them… “Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).

Successful delegates of Christ take on a name assigned by the Master. They pour themselves so earnestly and completely into the ministry that they take on an identity that is inseparable from it. Simon became Peter the Rock, upon whose confession Christ builds His Church… “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Diligent pastors are often identified so intimately with their ministry that Pastor becomes part of their name in the eyes of their flock as well as in their own heart. This new name is especially precious when we consider that one day, Christ will give each of His faithful disciples a personally chosen new name… “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).   

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective ambassadors of His gospel because we are…

Prayerfully Called, Chosen, and Named by Christ.