He first chose two sets of brothers James and John , Simon and Andrew. They were all fishermen, they were all ordinary people. Jesus also chose Levi , he was a tax collector even tough he was hated in his community, Jesus still chose him. Jesus was a man that rather included than excluded no matter if you were an outcast.
Jesus called to the men in a polite way he told them: 'come with me and I will teach you to catch people'(MK1:16-20)
Immediatly Jesus was preaching to them , they had to leave their jobs , and instead of catching fish , they were to catch men ie: spread the news about the Kingdom of God.
The men were to be Jesus' disciples , they were to preach and they would have the authority to drive out demonons (MK3:16-19). The men were to be with Jesus to the point of Crucifixion.
Jesus said to his disciples that they were to be 'fishers of men ' , he was trying to imply that the Diciples were to catch men and spresd the Good News.
The instructions to the the twelve were strict but they were kept simple "Don't take anything with you on your journey except a stick - no bread, no beggars bag , no money in your pockets , wear sandals but do not carry an extra tunic" (MK6:8-10).
These instructions were so that the Disciples would obide by the rules and in having no luxeries, they were not distracted and they could go and carry out their mission.
" Whenever you enter a house , stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you , shake the dust off your feet when you leave as a testimony against them" (MK6:10-11)
This was another one of Jesus' rules. Shaking off the dust off ones foot was a sign of rejection.
Thw response of the Disciples to Jesus' call was enthusiasm and obediency , because when Jesus said "Follow Me " (MK 2:13-14) , they came
The cost of being a Disciple : " If anyone would come after me , he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save his life, will lose it but whoever loses his life for me and for the Gospel will save it.........................(MK8:34-36)
The twelve mus not always put themselves before others . They had to follow Jesus until the point of death.
They had to take the burden of Religion.
The Reward of Dicipleship was Eternal Life Jesus said: "I tell you that anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or feilds for me and for the Gospel will recieve much more in the eternal life" (MK10:29-31)
The reward would not be given whilst on Earth , but when the Twelve died and went to Heaven.
Discipleship was a difficult task to follow , with alot of obstacles in the way . The determination of the men got them through their mission.
JOCELYN AGYEMANG
