Last week I taught a Bible study from Mark 3. Like the other three gospels, Mark’s gospel is unique. For example, Mark primarily shows us what Jesus did rather than telling us what Jesus said. Interestingly, Mark does not give us Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Rather, Mark shows us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. He has power over unclean spirits and over diseases of every kind.

As I studied this material, one part of Mark 3 caught my attention. It had to do with Jesus’ calling His disciples. Three areas stood out to me.

First, Jesus called the twelve after an intense time of prayer. Mark tells us that Jesus went up on a mountainside and called the twelve. The parallel passage in Luke (6:12) tells us that Jesus spent all night in prayer.

How often do we make important decisions following a perfunctory prayer? Jesus obviously prayed intensely (like He did in the Garden of Gethsemene). His prayer through the night meant that He prayed to a conclusion. When we have “prayed it through” to a conclusion, we are then ready to make decisions and take on the giants in our lives.

Second, Jesus called them for a purpose. They were called to be with Him, to preach the Gospel, and to have authority over the powers of darkness (Mark 3:13-15). Jesus designated these twelve as “Apostles,” that is people “sent out” for a mission. The word Apostle is used to designate different groups in the New Testament. These twelve were the first group designated with this name.

Please don’t underestimate the significance of “being with Jesus.” From His life they learned to pray and to depend on the Father. These were invaluable lessons for what God had for them in the future.

Third, Jesus changed these men. Two of the most interesting of the twelve were Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector.

The Zealots were anti-Rome in everything. The First Century Jewish historian Josephus called the Zealots “dagger-men.” They wielded the knife in opposition to Rome.

Matthew, on the other hand, worked with Rome. He carried out Roman taxation.

Could any two disciples have been any different? Warren Wiersbe wondered what it was like when Simon the Zealot met Matthew the tax collector!

Isn’t it amazing how Jesus changes lives? These two natural enemies worked together to carry out God’s purpose. They left their agendas behind and sought to carry out God’s call. Can anything show the power of the Gospel more than changed lives?

This is what we learn from Jesus.

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