The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 128

IIL CHRIST CHOSE HIS TRUSTED APOSTLES FROM A LOWLY POSITION OF SOCIETY. Only one of the band-and he the unworthy member-was from Judma. All the others were Galilea.ns; and the inhabitants of this northern province were comparatively rude, unlettered, unpolished. Some rabbis would fain have been received into the number, but the Lord would not encourage them. He preferred to deal with unso- phisticated natures. Perhaps James and John and Levi were in fair circumstances; the rest were in all likelihood poor. The twelve were, in education, very different from such men as Luke and Paul. Christ chose, as he has often done since, "the weak things of the world to confound the mighty." He rejoiced and gave thanks because things, hidden from the wise and prudent, had been revealed unto babes. IV. CHRIST APPOINTED AGENTS WITll VARIOUS GIFTS, QUALIFiqATIONB, AND CHA- RACTER. 'lbe three leaders among the apostles were certainly men of ability. Peter's vigour of style was only one index to the great native force of his character; James was slain by Herod, as probably the most prominent representative of the early Christian community; and John's writings show him to have been both profound and imaginative as a thinker. Of the other apostles, James the Less was certainly a man of inflexible will and of vigorous administrative power. In disposition these twelve men differed marvellously from ose another. Two were" sons of thunder," another-Thomas-was of a doubting, melancholy spirit, and Simon was ardent and impulsive. All but Iscariot were deeply attached to Jesus, and it was not without purpose that one avaricious and treacherous person was included in the number. What various instruments our Lord employs for accomplishing Lis own work I V. CHRIST RECOGNIZED AND EMPLOYED THE SPEOIAL GIFTS OF HIS DISCIPLES IN ms OWN SERVICE. This passage brings this truth vividly before us. Simon was surnamed "The Rock "-a title to which his character especially entitled him; and the sons of Zebedee were designated "Sons of Thunder,'' doubtless from their ardent, impetuous wal in ihe service of the Lord. '!'here was a special work corresponding to the special endowments of each. VL CHRIST QUALIFIED THESE AGENTS BY KEEPING THEM IN BIB OWN SOCIETY AND BENEATH HIS OWN INFLUENCE. "That they might be with him." How simple, yet how profound these words I What a Companion I What lessons were to be learned from his character, his demeanour, his language, his mighty works I Nothing could so qualify these men for the service of coming years as this brief period of daily and close intimacy with a Being so gracious, so holy, so wise. VII. CHRIST HIMSELF COMMISSIONED AND AUTHORIZED THESE AGENTS. They were to be "sent forth ; " hence their designation, " apostles." They were to be his messengers, his heralds, his ambassadors. And what was their ministry? 1. To preach, to publish good tiding~ of salvation, righteousness,. ete':"Ilal life, thro~gh ~~rist. 'l'o this end it was evidently necessary that they should 1rnb1be the Masters spmt, as well as know the Teacher's doctrine. It was necessary that, in due time, they should be witnesses of his resurrection and partakers of the Spirit poured out from on high. 2. To have authority to cast out demons, to carry on the work of the Lord, and to co1:1tend with the kingdom of Satan, and establish the reign of Christ, of light, of ribhteousness, of peace. OD, Ill, 1-36,] TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 12,5'