"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (Luke 6:12-16)
Peter became the most dominant leader of the early church after Jesus went back to heaven. He was a powerful and persuasive preacher.
James became an early martyr of the church. He gave his life for what he believed in -- for Jesus.
John lived the longest of the apostles. He died a very old man. Before he died he became the one through whom Jesus would send His message about the end times -- the Revelation. He also became a biographer of Jesus, writing one of the accounts of Jesus' life.
Matthew also became a writer. He also wrote an account of Jesus' life.
The Bible tells us little about the other apostles, but church history tells us that all but one of the rest became preachers of the Gospel, carrying God's message around the world. All except John died an early death and a violent death because of their faith in Jesus.
That brings us to the last of the twelve apostles and Luke's Gospel gives just one word to describe him: "Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." There was a traitor among the earliest followers of Jesus. One of the twelve would sell Jesus for a few coins.
All twelve had the same opportunities. All twelve heard the same messages. All twelve saw the same miracles. Eleven became leaders of Jesus' movement -- one became a traitor.
You have opportunities. You hear messages. You see God at work. What will you become?
His, by Grace,
Steve
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