With Him

Mark 3:13-15 (NASB)
¹³ And He went* up on the mountain and summoned* those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.
¹⁴ And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,
¹⁵ and to have authority to cast out the demons.

God writes His love and commandments on our hearts by fellowship with Him. The medium becomes the believer’s heart, rather than tablets of stone. Jesus embodies and demonstrates the truth of relating to God and each other.

He appoints twelve to a special mission. They are to be with him. From among the followers or disciples of Jesus, they will become sent ones, or apostles, bearing the message and power of the gospel. God chose and blessed the twelve sons of Israel to be His people as part of His revelation. God chooses to reveal Himself through man, even coming in the form of man Himself for the ultimate revelation before the Son comes back in glory and power. These twelve were drawn to him, willing to follow him, to believe in him, and to obey him. They will go beyond following to proclaiming his message. The same thing takes place with us. The Gospel is revealed in our lives.

He takes men of different types, with varying capabilities and gifts, and begins transforming them as they spend time with him. Time spent with the Savior transforms and renews today as it did then.

May the gospel of my life be true to the Gospel of Jesus.