Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 3 & Luke 6
There were so many good topics from today’s reading, it was hard for me to pick just one for today’s devotion. But I finally settled on discussing what Jesus did immediately before calling the 12 apostles.
Jesus had many disciples following him. A disciple is a follower, an apprentice, someone who is learning. From among these followers, Jesus was going to choose his apostles – his chosen messengers with a special commission. We’re told in Luke 6:12, that before choosing his 12 apostles, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer. Did you catch that? Jesus spent the whole night praying.
Why would Jesus need to spend the whole night praying? First, opposition to him was growing – immediately before this story, we’re told the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus. He knew this would eventually end in his crucifixion. I’m guessing he was praying for strength for the task that lay before him. Second, this was a turning point in his ministry. Until how, he had just been a one man show – a traveling preacher and healer. Now he was picking the men who would be the foundation of the church after he was gone. I’m guessing he was praying for discernment. Finally, according to John 6:64, Jesus knew from the beginning who was going to betray him, and He was going to pick him as one of His apostles. I’m guessing Jesus was struggling with emotions at that prospect; it was through prayer that He made this difficult choice.
We find many instances of Jesus devoting lots of time to prayer. Whether it was getting up before dawn to pray, or sending the apostles away in a boat so he could pray, or … You get the idea. But wait, Jesus was the Son of GOD! In John 3:34, we’re told that Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. And He still spent a tremendous amount of time in prayer!
What should this mean for me?
For starters, I suspect I need God’s help far more than Jesus did. For one thing, I’m a wretched sinner, and Jesus was perfectly sinless. Also, Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure, me – not so much.
From Jesus’ example, I see that I need to spend far more time in prayer, whether asking for strength, or for discernment, or struggling with emotions, or… for dealing with everything life throws at me. And that’s just the requests for my needs. Then, there are prayers for confessing and asking forgiveness. Then, all the prayer requests for people I care about. Then, there is honoring, praising, and magnifying God in prayer. And the list goes on. Bottom line – I need to spend more time in prayer.
What about you? Will you join me in committing to spending more time in prayer?
This will not only benefit me and you, it may benefit the whole nation. I’m reminded of one of my many favorite Bible verses, 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
And God knows our nation needs healing.
— Steve Mattison
Today’s Bible passage can be read or listened to at BibleGateway here – Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 3 and Luke 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be Matthew 14, Mark 6 and Luke 9:1-17 as we continue on our Bible reading plan.
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