They were not actually called disciples until the calling of Matthew in 2:13-17. The first four that were called were Simon, Andrew, James and John then Levi. In these accounts what is surprising is the men’s willingness to immediately leave what they were doing to follow Jesus. This shows Jesus must have been a very charismatic and powerful personality to persuade these men to leave everything and follow him with just a few simple words. The men knew nothing about Jesus yet were willing to leave their jobs, their families and any money or property behind. They obviously have great trust in Jesus even though they had only just met. Then the rest of them Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot who Betrayed him. These were all called in 3:1-6.
He said “I have chosen you to be with me” he told them “I will also send you out to preach and you will have the authority to drive out demons.” Here Jesus is outlining for the first time the role that the disciples will have; they will be pioneers along with him in his mission in the world.
In St. Mark’s gospel the disciples are continually learning about Jesus and getting to know him. Jesus chooses ordinary people to be his disciples, they don’t have to be well educated or clever, and he only chooses those who are willing to follow and who he thinks will have the qualities of a true disciple.
Today the meaning of disciple is watered down slightly as Jesus is not present (in the flesh)today but those who choose to follow Jesus by becoming a priest or missionary, for example, are still required to set aside any personal wishes and commit fully to God whatever the cost. However, most Christians today are not required to undergo harsh persecution in their discipleship, as the disciples would have received in Jesus’ time. However, discipleship can still be dangerous today there are Christians dying for there faith all over the world.
Jesus was constantly with the disciples. Then, having been with Jesus constantly, learning from him as they watched him preaching and performing miracles, he sends them out so they can learn to depend on themselves and each other not on Jesus alone, and so have the experience preaching on their own. In 6:7-13 ‘The mission of the twelve’ he gave the disciples several instructions and gave them authority over evil spirits. He set them three tasks: first, to preach that people should turn away from their sins and repent, secondly, to anoint the sick to heal them and thirdly, to cast out evil spirits.
The sacrifices made by the disciples were never-ending because they gave up their ordinary lives to follow Jesus and spread the good word.
To become a disciple is to be committed totally and involves sacrifices. In today’s world, people who become disciples of the Christian faith are asked to give up different things according to what form their discipleship may take. Just as Simon, Peter, James, and John gave up their fishing and Levi his position as a tax collector, for some people today such as missionaries it has meant leaving their homes, family, friends and security behind to go out into a foreign country to serve God. In the Roman Catholic Church priests are required to remain celibate and ministers of other churches choose to be celibate, as it is believed that celibacy allows a person to become devoted fully to God.
