Jesus is very popular in the world whether people are for him or against him. He’s not just looking for groupies and debates but faithful followers who will make him famous for the right reasons.
Q. Are you a groupie or a follower?
Mark 3:7-19 (NLT) Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.
Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles.They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. These are the twelve he chose:
Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Jesus is famous and popular in the world for many reasons. Some come after him for felt needs. Others to hear his teaching. Many come to him for salvation. Even more would be antagonized by him and even reject him as we’ve seen from the Pharisees, as well as, the indifferent people who never faithfully follow him.
Mark 3:7-8 (NLT) Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.
This is a recap of of how popular his ministry had become with people from all over. These cities represent North, South, East and West. It’s another way of saying that by this time everybody from everywhere was enthralled with this Jesus from Galilee.
The pharisees were skeptical and growing to be oppositional. The regular people were desperate for a change chasing the next new thing. Even evil spirits were being displaced and disrupted by Jesus’ fame.
Mark 3:9-12 (NLT) Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
We have seen all of this in the 1st chapter of Mark but it’s reaching a point to where sides are going to have to be taken. They were either with Jesus or against Jesus. There was no denying his presence and his power now. The question is: will we follow him or reject him?
If we fast forward, even thought their were thousands of people who flocked to and followed Jesus around for a while, when it was time for the Church to start there were only 120 true and faithful followers. It wasn’t until after Pentecost that people were being saved and added to the Church.
Acts 1:15 (NLT) During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
As for the demons being silenced again, even though they are testifying to the truth about who Jesus is, it is not appointed for them to preach and make disciples but only for redeemed humans whom he calls and appoints to do his work.
(TRANS) So, demons know who he is. The crowds know how powerful he is. The Pharisees know how popular he is. Are any of these his true followers (disciples)?
Jesus wasn’t look for popularity and crowds to buzz around him. He is looking for faithful disciples who will separate from the masses to have an intimate relationship with him. If we are to love him, we follow him. If we follow, we become like him. If we are like him, then we do what he did. He wants to send us out to make him famous for the right reason, he’s the King of the universe who had come to lay his life down for us.
Mark 3:13-15 (NLT) Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles.They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons.
Discipleship sometimes requires leaving the crowd to get some training. Jesus was drawing from the masses the faithful few who he wanted to be with, train and use to carry out the mission of helping people pursue God. Jesus gives 3 things that were critical for their roles:
Apostle means messenger. These guys have a special place in history that we don’t get to claim. In order to be a capital “A” Apostle the requirements are those who had witnessed Jesus ministry, death, resurrection and were given this specific title. No one on earth now can claim to be this. But, everyone who follows Jesus is a lower case “a” apostle. When we spend time with Jesus we get the training and the power we need to to his work.
(Trans) The ones who he called to be his messengers are ordinary people. This takes away the excuse that only certain people are supposed to go make disciples.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Mark 3:16-19 (NLT) These are the twelve he chose:
Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
The chosen men that Jesus calls to be his Apostles are not the dream team. They are a rag-tag bunch of misfits that were in need of some reforming. It was through them that God would get the glory for being able to use literally anyone to do the work of the ministry.
Peter - Strong personality that steps out in front of everyone to be the leader. He has to be corrected several times for his misinterpretations and ultimately his weakness in denying Christ 3 times. Married (See Mark 1)
James and John - Young, arrogant, boisterous boys who could have been teenagers. (See Mark 1) They worked for their dad. Their mom was still directing their lives. (See Matthew 20:20-28) Sons of Thunder.
Matthew - Tax Collector. Despised. Traitor. Greedy.
Simon the Zealot - Hardcore anti-government type. Always fighting.
Judas Iscariot - The betrayer. God can even use those who aren’t true followers of his. Fell away.