Luke 6:12-16
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall the events of the previous few weeks of Jesus’ life – the calling of his first followers, the healings, and the encounters with the religious leaders – then read Luke 6:12-16.
By this time in Jesus’ earthly ministry, he has many disciples who are following him and learning to be like him. But now Jesus has an important decision to make: which of these many disciples should represent the original twelve tribes of Israel?
God’s original plan for the redemption of humanity was not thwarted when God’s chosen people failed to follow God wholeheartedly. God’s plan was fulfilled in Jesus through his life, ministry, death, and resurrection, and Jesus continues to use people to accomplish God’s plan - and he will until the day he comes again to set all things right.
The choosing of these twelve apostles, one for each of the twelve tribes descended from Abraham, is a significant part of Jesus’ ministry of restoration. He isn’t starting over with a new plan; Jesus is accomplishing God’s plan in a new way.
Stop to contemplate the idea that God’s eternal plan cannot be foiled by the mistakes or stubbornness of people, and that we are all invited to be part of what Jesus is doing to redeem humanity and the world today.
Share your thoughts, questions, and feelings about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 6:12-16 again.
Even though Jesus was in continuous contact with God the Father, he needed solitude and concentrated time with God for this critical decision. Jesus modeled and lived out a relationship with God that was based on pure faith.
Among the twelve representatives Jesus chose was the one who would ultimately betray him and set the events of his execution in motion. And as keen as Jesus’ sense was about the character and motives of people, we can assume that he knew this at least in part. But Jesus listened to God and did what God said regardless of whether it made complete sense.
For the last minutes of this time of reflection, consider your own relationship with God when it comes to important decisions in your life. How do you make space to hear from God, and what do you do when you are sure God has spoken but you can’t see the whole picture?
Talk openly about this with Jesus, and then get quiet and listen for a while.
Is there anything Jesus is prompting you to do, or do differently, today?
Will you?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
