Friday January 19th: Empowering His Disciples

Discipleship gives everyone the ability to imitate Jesus in every way.

Mark 3:13 –19

Jesus appointed the twelve who were to be His companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.

Jesus, appointing the twelve who would share His ministry reflects both the nature of the kingdom of God and the ministry style of Jesus. The kingdom of God is a community of believers. As community we all share in the responsibilities of proclaiming the Good News and confronting evil. No one is a passive spectator. All members of the community are active participants in the work of salvation.

Jesus’ appointment of the twelve reflects what we believe about God. That God is a Trinity of Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – which makes Him a community in Himself. Jesus mirrors this divine community in His own earthly ministry when he called the twelve to share with Him intimately and fully.

Jesus empowers disciples. He does not make them helpless servants who must wait on the master for everything. Discipleship gives everyone the ability to imitate Jesus in every way.