In this week's blog, I will talk about Jesus' Apostles, their dedication to the Savior and I can use their faith and dedication as an example in my own life.
Who were the original Twelve Apostles? (Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19)
Jesus chose as his Apostles: Peter, Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew: Thomas, and Matthew, the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot.
Of these Apostles, I'd like to share some notes about three of them. After reading the accompanying scriptures, I ask that you ponder about the meaning of these events:
Peter: When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and he knew this through revelation (Matthew 16:13) James:James was present with Peter and John during Jesus' transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)
John: We may assume that John is the unnamed disciple of the Baptist mentioned in John 1:40
What is the definition of an Apostle?
The bible dictionary defines Apostles as “one sent forth.” Our Savior chose and ordained his Apostles to go forth and bear witness to Him and share the Gospel. Today, the Apostles are chosen through inspiration by the Prophet and ordained in the Melchizedek Priesthood by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by the laying on of hands. As in the time of our Savior, the Apostles are sent forth throughout the world to represent Him and bear witness to Him. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism [1992], 1:59-60)
How did the Savior's teachings to HIs Apostles prepare them to be sent out to proclaim the Gospel? (Matthew 10:5-42)
As Jesus prepared His Apostles to go forth and teach, He warned them and He comforted them. They were sent forth as “sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). He warned them of nonbelievers and those who would persecute. Yet, He told them not to worry about how they would defend themselves, as the Spirit shall speak the words for them (Matthew 10:19-20). He warned them that they would be hated because they bore witness to the Savior but that they who endured would be saved (Matthew 10:22). He also told them that if they were prosecuted in one city, to flee to the next.
In reading these scriptures, I can’t help but be reminded of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early pioneers as they went forth to bear witness to the restored Church of Christ and how they were persecuted, but continued on. How they endured to the end, and how they never denied Him. One of my favorite verses from this passage is, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Matthew 10:40)
How did Peter, James and John respond when Jesus called them to service? (Luke 5:1-11)
Peter, although he had exhausted his resources, had faith in the Lord and obeyed His command. Peter was blessed by his actions and was so humbled, He felt himself unworthy to be in the presence of the Lord
James & John, seeing this miracle and being asked to follow Jesus along with Peter, did not hesitate, and followed the Savior.
How can their actions and examples be applied in my own life?
Two years ago, I made a similar decision when I chose to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, was baptized by my husband and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From that day forth, I chose to follow the Lord and to bear witness to Him. We, as a family, live our life for Him and seek to find and help others know the joy we have found in making the Gospel a part of who we are.
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