The Focus
Before Jesus preached his first sermon or performed his first miracle, He called a few men to His side. He insisted that they obey; to leave all that they had and to follow Him. These men, though perfectly unremarkable, were the focus of his ministry. I will say it again: these ragtag group of men were the pillar of his ministry. Everything else Jesus did, save for His crucifixion, was subservient to this Master-to-disciple relationship. Together they walked, talked, traveled, healed, ate, drank, laughed, cried, joked, debated, read and prayed. Jesus was there to see His disciples boast, complain, rejoice, curse, love and even fail. And they were there to see how Life lived.
His Genius
This sort of training is long and difficult. But Jesus knew it was the only way that people could be saved. Without able shepherds, sheep die. Without faithful shepherds, sheep eventually go astray. If that ragtag bunch failed in their training, all hope would be lost. Sermons or miracles alone would not sustain a true revolution through the ages. Men were Jesus’ method. And He wants us to embrace that same principle.
