Mark 3:7-19 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 3:7-19. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 3:7-19 (NIV)
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.
8 When they heard 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 evil 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 who he was.
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.
14 He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–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.
On verses 7-19: For those of you who want to make a difference in this world, remember this lesson from Jesus’ life: It’s not enough to draw a crowd. You need to raise a team of leaders.
Given his abilities and the crowds he was drawing, Jesus could have chosen to be a one man show. But wisely, that wasn’t Jesus’ way. Jesus knew the value of a team. That is why in the midst of all of his fame, popularity and busyness as a public figure, Jesus took the time here to assemble a team.
As capable as Jesus was, Jesus realized that he needed people who could walk with him and serve alongside him during his remaining years on earth and take the reigns of the ministry after he was gone. In particular, verse 14 tells us Jesus’ purposes for forming this team of apostles:
(1) “that they might be with him” – Jesus needed other people’s support and companionship; and
(2) “that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” – Jesus empowered others to do the very things he was doing so that the reach of the ministry could go deeper, wider and longer.
Likewise, don’t be a lone ranger trying to do it all on your own. For the sake of your own well being as well as for the long term effectiveness of the mission you are on, you need to be part of a team, a family (for example, a church, a small group).
Even in Jesus’ case, not everyone Jesus chose to be part of his team would stay with him, such as Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him (v19). But don’t let the possibility of losing someone and getting hurt stop you from forming the team that you need.
Jesus the greatest leader valued teamwork, and He wants us to as well.
Jesus, if You did not do ministry and life on Your own, what makes me think that I can? Please help me to value teamwork the way You do so that I can be effective the way You are. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
