Luke 6:12-23: Jesus Chooses The 12 Apostles / Sermon On The
By
1.
INTRO:
1.1.
In our last study, we looked
at chapter 5 verse 27 through chapter 6 verse 11.
1.1.1. Jesus called a tax gatherer named Levi to leave all behind and come and
follow Him.
1.1.2. Jesus defended to the Pharisees why His disciples don’t fast.
1.1.3. Jesus explained that you cannot mix the old covenant living with the
new covenant.
1.1.3.1. You should shouldn’t sow old pieces of material together with new.
1.1.3.2. You shouldn’t attempt to pour new wine into old wineskins.
1.1.4. Jesus defended His disciples to the Pharisees for rubbing grain in
their hand and eating it on the Sabbath.
1.1.5. Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
1.2.
In our study today, we are
going to look at verses 12 through 23 in chapter 6.
1.2.1. In the first section we see that Jesus chooses the 12 apostles from
among all of His disciples.
1.2.2. Then, we will begin to look at the first part of Jesus’ “Sermon On The
Mount.”
1.2.3. We will take an overview of the Sermon On the Mount and then examine
what have been called the “beatitudes” that Jesus taught on this day.
2. VS 6:12-16 - “12 It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He
spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, He
called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as
apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother;
and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; 15 and Matthew and
Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; 16
Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” - Jesus picks His 12 apostles
2.1.
The first thing that we
encounter as we consider these verses is the fact that before choosing those
who would be His 12 apostles that Jesus spent the entire evening in prayer to
God. Jesus knew the importance of
proceeding every decision by a season of prayer and waiting upon the Lord to
answer.
2.2.
We have seen a couple of
times already in this book that Jesus was in the habit of going off alone and
spending time with the Father in prayer and fellowship. Jesus loved His Father and longed to spend
quality times in prayer every single day.
2.3.
Jesus’ season of prayer on
this occasion was not only for wisdom and leading in choosing the 12 but also
because He saw that there was a gathering opposition against Him by the
Pharisees and scribes. In our last study
we saw that Jesus got into conflict after conflict with the Pharisees and that
they were now beginning to plot ways in which they might be able to put Him to
death.
2.4.
So, it was when the day came
that it says here that Jesus ‘called His disciples to Him and chose twelve
of them.’
2.5.
There is a difference
between a “disciple” and an “apostle.” Jesus had many disciples, however He only
chose 12 “apostles.” The Greek
word “Mathatais” translated “disciple” means “a learner”
and I believe that we get our English word for ‘math’ from the
word. The Greek word “apostolos”
translated “apostle” means “one sent out.” The 12 “apostles” chosen by Jesus were
hand picked men chosen to be Jesus’ representatives over the church He was
establishing and as such they were called to go out and make other disciples
via preaching the gospel and teaching the word of God.
2.6.
There are other people
mentioned as being “apostles” in the New Testament, and there have been
many people throughout history who have served as “apostles,” being sent
out by the Lord. However, these 12 are
what we refer to as the capital “A” apostles (or the A-postles as opposed to
the B-postles) and to qualify as such they had to meet some qualifications:
2.6.1.
They had seen Jesus
2.6.2. They had been with Jesus
from the beginning.
2.6.3. They had been taught
directly by Jesus.
2.6.4. Their calling and authority
was confirmed by unique signs and wonders performed at their hands.
2.7.
The New Testament was
written by apostles and there are several New Testament scriptures where the
qualifications for a capital “A” apostle are implied, including:
2.7.1. Hebrews 2:3, “3 how will we escape if we
neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the
Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.”
2.7.2. 1 John 1:1-3, “1 What
was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—
2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and
proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested
to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so
that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the
Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
2.7.3. Luke 1:1-3, “1 Inasmuch
as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among
us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the
beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed
fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the
beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent
Theophilus.”
2.7.4. 2 Peter 1:16-22, “16
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His
majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the
Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This
is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18 and we ourselves
heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy
mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic word made more
sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But
know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of
one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act
of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
2.7.5. The apostle Paul wrote about
his being called at a late date to be an apostle in 1 Corinthians 9:1, “1 Am
I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my
work in the Lord?” and also in 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, “11 I
have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been
commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent
apostles, even though I am a nobody. 12 The signs of a true apostle
were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and
miracles.”
2.8.
The listing of the 12
apostles is also found in Matt 10:2–4,
Mark 3:16–19, and Acts 1:13.
2.9.
In each of the listings of the 12 apostles we see some similar
characteristics:
2.9.1. There are four sets of brothers.
2.9.2. There are three groups of
four with the first group mentioned always being the innermost group of Jesus’
apostles, Peter and Andrew and James and John.
2.9.3. Peter is always mentioned first.
Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus is always mentioned last except for
the listing in Acts 1:13 which was made after the death of Judas Iscariot.
2.9.4. We see from the New Testament that some of the apostles had more than
one name:
2.9.4.1. Simon was renamed to be Peter by Jesus and is sometimes called Simon
Peter to differentiate him from the other Simon who was also part of the
12. “Peter” means rock and this
name is a reminder of the Word of God being the rock upon which we find safe
refuge, and Jesus being that rock.
2.9.4.2. Nathaniel and Bartholomew are the same (John 1:45-49).
2.9.4.3. James the son of Alphaeus and James the Less are probably the same man.
2.9.4.4. Judas the brother of James in Acts 1:13 is also Thaddeus in Mark 3:18.
2.9.4.5. The other Simon in the group was called, “The Zealot,” either
because he belonged to the political party of Zealots who were committed to
overthrowing
2.10.
Why did Jesus choose 12 men
to represent Himself?
2.10.1.
It could be that since
2.11.
Seven or more of the 12 were
most likely fishermen, one was a tax gatherer, and we are not told the
vocations of the other men.
2.12.
One thing that is apparent
from the New Testament is that the 12 apostles that were chosen were not super
saints but regular men, sinners who were saved by the grace God, and men whom
the Lord could uses as examples for all time of what He is able to do through
men who yield their lives up to Him in faith and obedience.
2.13.
Simon Peter and Andrew and
James and John worked together in a fishing business, and at least Simon Peter
and Andrew, but perhaps all four, had become followers of John the Baptist
before they left following John to become followers of Jesus (John
1:40-42).
2.14.
Jesus was careful to make it
clear that Simon Peter was to be the leader of the 12:
2.14.1.
He is always listed first of
the 12.
2.14.2.
He is part of the innermost
group of four.
2.14.3.
He is part of the innermost
group of three, along with James and John.
Peter, James, and John alone were directed by Jesus to come with Him
when He:
2.14.3.1. Raised Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:51).
2.14.3.2. To witness Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:28).
2.14.3.3. To be with Him in the
2.14.4.
After His resurrection,
Jesus appeared to Peter and three times called Him to, “Feed My sheep”
(John 21:16-17).
2.15.
Judas Iscariot, the one who
betrayed Jesus, his name “Iscariot” most likely means “man of Kerioth.” Kerioth was a city in southern
2.16.
Another question to consider
is whether or not when Jesus was selecting Judas that He knew that Judas would
betray Him one day. Was Jesus consciously choosing the one who would betray Him
for crucifixion? Good Bible commentators
differ amongst themselves on this question.
3. VS 6:17-19 - “17 Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a
large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and
Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come
to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled
with unclean spirits were being cured. 19 And all the people were
trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.” - Jesus went to a “plateau” and
there was a huge multitude surrounding Him who wanted to hear Him and to be
healed of diseases
3.1.
It is wonderful to see that
before preaching this all-important sermon to His disciples that He took the
time to heal all who had come to Him for healing. People and their needs were always top on
Jesus’ list of priorities.
3.2.
It is interesting to see
here that it says that power was ‘coming from Him and healing them all.’
3.3.
In Matthew chapter 5 we see
that it says that Jesus went up on a mountain to deliver this message at this
time, however here it says that Jesus had been up on a mountain and came down
to a “plateau” (or ‘level place’) to deliver it. This has caused some to speculate that there
are two different sermons that are being referenced in the two gospels. However, this shouldn’t be necessary because
the Greek word that is translated ‘level place’ or “plateau”
refers to a plateau on a mountain.
4. VS 6:20 - “20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “
Blessed are you who are poor , for yours is the
4.1.
Having chosen His 12
apostles who are now going to be His special ambassadors in the world, Jesus
next begins to preach this foundational sermon outlying the fundamental
principles of godliness and discipleship in His kingdom.
4.2.
This sermon by Jesus
outlines the standard of righteousness that His kingdom shall be built
upon. Whereas the Pharisees of Jesus’
day taught a righteousness that was all based upon external observances of
stringent Law and rules, righteousness in Jesus’ kingdom shall be based upon
the internal state of a person’s heart and thoughts. Jesus will expose the fact that external
observances mean nothing if the attitude and motives of a person’s heart
contradict those outward actions. A good
deed is only righteous in God’s sight when the motives of the heart and
thoughts of the mind are also righteous.
Thus, Jesus raised the standard of righteousness to the Nth degree,
making it dependant upon the internal state of the heart.
4.3.
Jesus will also teach in
this sermon that there is a new royal law of love that His disciples are now to
begin to show and live out with each other.
This love is primarily based upon actions that one takes not a feeling
of love that one might have. This love
is also unconditional, or not based upon the performance of the one loved. Likewise this love is to be extended to all,
even those who are most undeserving and do things to harm the one loving.
4.4.
Jesus begins this sermon
teaching the “beatitudes,” which are all of the “blessed”
statements. The Greek word “makaros”
translated “blessed” means “happy.” Jesus in these “beatitudes” teaches
the way to have true happiness and blessedness.
Its not a giddy joy that people in the world may have as a result of
various things that may happen in their life, rather it is a deep satisfaction
and contentment that is being taught.
They can have this deep contentment regardless of their circumstances.
4.5.
Being “happy” or “blessed”
in these “beatitudes” is in each case not something that will occur in a
future state but is the present possession of those who possess the
characteristic.
4.6.
The other thing that Jesus
associates with each of these “beatitudes” is eternal rewards. In teaching these “beatitudes” Jesus
is inculcating in His disciples the fact that it is wise to keep an eternal
perspective in this life rather than to have an earthly temporal
perspective. Every single action taken
will have an eternal implication in rewards for God’s people.
4.7.
In teaching these “beatitudes,”
we see that Jesus turns upside down all of the things that the world values and
the things that people in this world look to for happiness and
fulfillment. Every single “beatitude”
taught by Jesus is really a paradox unto itself. In this world it is accepted that the strong
and powerful always win and that contentment and satisfaction come from wealth
and health, not so in Jesus’ kingdom.
4.7.1. By the way, there is a “prosperity gospel” that is popular in churches
in
4.8.
It
is consider who the audience is in this sermon.
There are three groups of people who are present to hear this message
and there is something in it for each of them:
4.8.1. There are the many who are disciples of
Jesus.
4.8.2. There are the 12 apostles who have just been
chosen.
4.8.3. There is a crowd gathered who came to hear
Jesus and/or sought Him out for His healing powers.
4.9.
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus
speaks the “beatitudes” in the second person, saying “you shall be…,”
etc. In Matthew, they are spoken in the
third person, saying “They shall…,” etc.
Saying, “you shall,” as Luke does makes these statements easier
to apply to your life.
4.10.
In this first “beatitude,”
Jesus teaches that the ‘poor,’ or “poor in spirit” as some
translations have put it, are ‘blessed.’
It is not really “physical poverty” however which is in view, for
not everyone who is ‘poor’ in regard to having the things of this world
is ‘blessed.’ Some people living
in poverty are miserable and ungodly.
These people could not be referred to here by Jesus. It is rather those whose poverty has driven
them to the Lord and who have sought to have their riches be riches in the Lord
rather than the things of this life, who are ‘blessed.’
4.11.
To be “poor in spirit”
is an attitude of the heart more than what possessions a person does or
does not possess.
4.11.1.
Are you content with the
things of this world that you have right now because you have learned to find
your contentment in the things of the Lord?
If this is true of you then you are truly ‘blessed.’
4.11.2.
If you on the other hand are
always wanting more and striving to have a bigger piece of the pie, never
satisfied with what you have in this life, then you have not yet learned this
secret of true happiness.
4.12.
I have heard testimony after
testimony about how that riches in this world do not bring real happiness. There is always a lust for more and a person
who seeks to find fulfillment in riches will never have enough to find
contentment. The book of Ecclesiastes
contains wisdom from Solomon about the folly of trying to find happiness and
fulfillment in the things of this world.
4.13.
We Christians must be
encouraged if we suffer financial setbacks and loss as a result of serving and
loving Jesus that when we get to heaven that our eternal reward will more than
repay us for any loss we may encounter in this life.
5. VS 6:21a - “21 “ Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.” - Jesus teaches that those who
‘hunger’ now shall be satisfied
5.1.
In our world today, there
are millions of people who are suffering because of famine and poverty and go to bed each night
hungry. It is not mere ‘hunger’
in and of itself though that brings “blessedness” or “happiness.” Rather, the one who is blessed is one who as
a result of his hunger is drawn to seek the Lord to provide and thus finds the
providence of God for his daily living.
5.2.
Jesus says that it is those
who are hungry ‘now’ who will be satisfied and this implies that
suffering need in this life as a result of following Jesus and being the person
He wants you to be will result in being ‘satisfied’ with great rewards
in eternity.
5.3.
Matthew, in his reporting of
this “beatitude” (Matt. 5:6) has Jesus saying that those who “hunger
and thirst for righteousness” are ‘blessed’ and they also shall be
filled. It is a spiritual principle that
if we simply hunger for Jesus in our lives that He will lead us to Himself and
satisfy our hearts with Himself.
6. VS 6:21b - “Blessed are you who weep now , for you
shall laugh .” - Jesus teaches that those who ‘weep’ now are
‘blessed’ for they shall ‘laugh’
6.1.
Like all of the other “beatitudes”
this one goes against all that we normally think of as being true. How can those who ‘weep’ be “happy”
?
6.2.
It
is the person who because of his serving and following the Lord who weeps that
shall be ‘blessed.’
6.3.
Even
though a Christian may ‘weep’ because of sorrows associated with trials or
even persecution, this in and of itself does not take away his joy, that is, if
he has learned the secret of finding his hope, strength, and help in the Lord.
6.4.
Jesus
says that it is the one who weeps ‘now’ who shall ‘laugh’
later. On the day of eternal rewards for
Christians, those who have wept in this life as a result of suffering in Jesus’
Name shall ‘laugh’ and be filled with joy inexpressible and full of
glory.
7. VS 6:22-23
- “22 “ Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you,
and scorn your name as evil , for the sake of the Son of Man . 23 “Be glad in that day and leap for
joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven . For in the same way their
fathers used to treat the prophets.”” -
Jesus teaches that the one who suffers various types of persecution
because of his faith in Jesus is ‘blessed’
7.1.
Being ‘blessed’ or “happy”
as a result of suffering persecution goes against all that our natural logic
would tell us. However, just as in the
previous “beatitude” what one experiences in his life does not determine
whether or not he has true inner contentment and joy.
7.2.
In Acts 5:41, we see the
truth of this beatitude displayed in human flesh, for there we read that when
Peter and the apostles had been arrested for preaching the gospel in Jerusalem
that the religious leaders had them flogged and released and that they went
their way rejoicing because they had been found worthy to suffer shame and
persecution for the Name of Jesus, “41 So they went on their
way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered
worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
7.3.
Likewise, after being beaten
with rods for Jesus’ Name, in Acts 16:25 Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns of praise to the Lord.
What a testimony it is when God’s people rejoice in the midst of great
trials and suffering. See also Acts
4:23-31 and 21:13-14.
7.4.
In the New Testament we read
in 2 Tim. 3:12 that if you are living a godly life for Christ that you will
experience persecution, “12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If Jesus was persecuted
then we will be persecuted as we follow His example in our own lives.
7.4.1. I guess you could say then that if a person is not experiencing persecution
for the Name of Christ then it is highly likely that this is because they are
not living as godly life as they should and are allowing quite a bit of
compromise in their walk. A person who
is walking as Jesus walked will experience the same persecution for
righteousness that Jesus experienced.
7.4.2. By the way, some Christians suffer what they think is persecution for
the Name of Christ however really it is persecution because they are doing a
lot of stupid stuff that is bringing this kind of difficulties upon them. It is not being persecuted for righteousness
if you get yourself into difficulties because of being obnoxious, breaking the
law of the land, or acting in a ridiculous way, for instance.
7.5.
This is the only “beatitude”
that includes an exhortation, and the exhortation is to ‘Be glad in that day and leap for joy.’
7.6.
Jesus gives two good reasons
for rejoicing when you suffer persecution for the Name of Christ:
7.6.1. Your reward will be great in heaven.
7.6.2. People persecuted the great men of God in history past in the same
manner, in other words because you are in good company.
8. CONCLUSIONS:
8.1.
As we consider the
“beatitudes” from our study, our hearts ought to recognize that we need to have
our minds transformed and renewed until we get to the point that we are valuing
only those things that heaven values and finding our help, hope and strength in
the Lord.
8.2.
The Lord’s valuation of the
things in this life is different than that which we in our world are taught,
yet when we consider the eternal rewards associated from living in this life as
Jesus would live, serving and being obedient to God, our hearts are encouraged
to keep an eternal perspective.
8.3.
“Blessed” or “happy”
are you if for the sake of loving and serving Jesus you are:
8.3.1. “Poor in spirit.”
8.3.2. “Hunger.”
8.3.3. “Weep.”
8.3.4. “Persecuted for righteousness sake.”
8.4.
Lets keep before our minds
our eternal rewards for walking in righteousness before the Lord. Our reward shall be great if we are found faithful
and suffer as a result of serving Jesus.
8.5.
If we suffer persecution for
Jesus, let us remember to rejoice because we have been found worthy to suffer
for the Name of Jesus.