7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
The Pharisees and Herodians may want to kill Jesus, but the crowds don't care much about Jesus' views of tradition and Sabbath rules. The crowd that comes to Jesus isn't a lynch mob with pitchforks and torches. They know that Jesus has been healing people, and they want their miracle.
Like a successful doctor today who has a new treatment, the line to get an appointment stretches out into the street. The people are coming to him from everywhere. But Jesus doesn't seem interested in hanging out a shingle, and he instructs his disciples to buy a boat. Whether Mark intentionally refers to it or not, the boat is the symbol of the church. The way Jesus instructs his disciples to handle the crowds is to get a boat (build a church). It is a little odd that Jesus calls for a boat to be ready, but we are not told that he uses it.
Mark reminds us that while Jesus is interested in preaching, his popularity lies in his healing ministry. Just verses earlier, we are told that the Pharisees and Herodians look and watch Jesus to accuse him, but the impure spirits see him and they cry out "You are the Son of God." Jesus refuses to allow their testimony though, perhaps because they are not exactly reliable witnesses.
Jesus understands that if he is going to do what he needs to do, he will need help. So Jesus calls to him those he wanted. What a great thought. When Jesus calls us to be disciples it is because he wants us! He gives the twelve the instruction to preach (their primary duty as well as Jesus primary work) and he gives them authority over demons. Whether they also have the gift of healing given to them is not made clear.
We are told the name of the twelve Jesus called. It is a familiar list of names. Simon, whom he renames Rock (Peter) whether for his strength or for his lack of insight, we don't know. The sons of thunder who will argue about which side of Jesus they will sit on when they call down lightning on those they judge to need it. There is Simon the Zealot, which is not a commentary on his commitment to Jesus, but a reference to his participation in a political party that sought the overthrow of the Romans.
But most interesting name on the list is saved for last: Judas Iscariot. Mark, never one to leave you wondering, tells you without mincing words that it will be Judas who will betray Jesus. So much for suspense.
We will find as Mark continues telling us about Jesus that these twelve are a bumbling bunch who don't understand much of anything and can't seem to get out of their own way. But I can't get it out of my head. Jesus called these twelve as problematic as they were because he wanted them, even Judas.
It gives me hope as I bumble along my way that Jesus wants me, too.
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