Here is a key moment in Jesus’ early ministry as he establishes the team
that will offer him the most immediate support. Mark has already told us of his
initial encounters with, and calls to, four fishermen, the two pairs of
brothers and a tax collector, called Levi. But the entire group of twelve are
now named and identified as ‘apostles’. These are not the only followers, or
disciples, of Jesus, but they are an inner group who receive a particular role
and proximity. Leith Fisher (Will you follow me?) reminds us that this
is not the whole disciple story – “Here is the symbolic naming of an inner
core of twelve disciples. We must remember they are not the only disciples.
There are others, particularly the women, who form part of the larger
discipleship group. To the twelve is given a special place and task, a task of
proclamation and the authority to cast out demons.”
Here is an indication that some people have different roles, an important, if obvious, point for the whole of life, and that certainly includes the question of roles with the band of disciples, or followers of Jesus. Paul will later powerfully compare this fact to the critical role of each part of the body. It leads us to consider the question as to what is our role, for nothing has changed on that front, and whether we are fulfilling it.
It is significant that this group have an identified dual role, which includes both word and action. Both ‘telling’ and ‘doing’ the good news are vital and in a partnership that cannot be separated.
It is also fascinating that in this naming, or announcing, of the apostles, some of them are given new names, or nicknames. We often use nicknames to indicate a person’s character or characteristics, even if that sometimes includes an element of irony (as in the big guy nicknamed ‘Tiny’). As Fisher comments – “some are given new names, symbolic of new identity and purpose within the new community Jesus creates around him.” There could be an interesting point to ponder as we wonder what deserved nickname Jesus might give us. There is also a parallel in that, in some communities and traditions, people take on a new ‘Christian’ name at the point of being baptised. Here it is Simon, who is named Peter, the Rock, and the other fishing brothers, James and John, who are named Boanerges, Sons of Thunder.
Interestingly, none of the New Testament’s listings of the names of the twelve apostles are identical with any other such list, and it is a much smaller group, who get to be frequently identified in the stories of the ministry of Jesus. Perhaps there was more use of different or ‘nick’ names than we immediately realise, or perhaps there was some fluidity in the group, though the fact that they are always identified as twelve would count against this last. It is also interesting that there is no mention of Levi, whose call we have already noted, though most would agree that this is another example of different names, and that Levi and Matthew are one and the same.
So, twelve are named and, even though there is some confusion around the names, the names are important and, in some cases, indicative of what they can contribute. The named twelve are given a dual task involving both word and action. But one last crucial point in this story which summarises the call of these first disciples is that they were chosen by Jesus. I wonder for what tasks, big and/or small, God is choosing us just now?
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