DIVINE INTIMACY FOR IMPACT (1)

“Then He APPOINTED TWELVE, that they might BE WITH HIM and that He might send them out to preach” – Mark 3:14

Building on the pedestals of Insight and Faith is the core Message of DIVINE INTIMACY for IMPACT: “And He went up on the MOUNTAIN and called to Him those He Himself WANTED. And they came to Him. Then He APPOINTED TWELVE, that they might BE WITH HIM and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons” (Mark 4: 13-15). Being with Him preceded their being sent out! INTIMACY with the Lord is the central SECRET of IMPACT. The first thing God calls us to, as Believers in Christ, is INTIMANY with HIMSELF. True power to preach, heal, deliver, and perform miracles – Service and Ministry – flow from Intimacy!

In today’s passage, Jesus went up to the mountainside and called His disciples, as He still does. Whenever the Lord does anything important, it’s often on the mountain. Of course, people who aren’t really interested wouldn’t go to the mountain if instructed to do so. It’s easy if the Lord were to tell them to do something on the street, because it’s on the way anyway, but they won’t go up to the mountain. The Lord often went up to the mountain to pray (Mt.14:23; Mk.6:46; Lk.6:12; Jh.6:15). He performed healings and miracles on mountains (Mt.15:29-31). He was transfigured on a high mountain (Mt.17:1-17). And He gave His disciples the Great Commission on a Mountain in Galilee (Mt.28:16-20).

The Lord had a broader group of followers, often referred to as His disciples; at least 70 in one instance (Lk.10:1) However, Mark highlights that He chose an intimate group from among them, known as the “twelve” whom He wanted and appointed (v.14; Jh.6:66-67). Mark explains that Jesus summoned those whom He Himself wanted, while Luke’s account offers additional context, noting that He spent the entire night in prayer before selecting the twelve (Lk.6:12-16). Together these scriptures reveal the Son’s dependence upon the Father for wisdom, and for approval of the men whom Jesus, Himself, personally wanted to be His twelve disciples – first to be with Him and then, to be sent out!

These twelve accompanied the Lord for the remainder of His ministry. They witnessed His miracles, listened to His parables, and discussed their meanings with Him at quieter moments. They travelled with Him wherever He went, joined Him in the upper room for the “Last Supper,” and observed all that occurred from that moment until His arrest. Except for one, John, they each abandoned Him during His trial, hid during His crucifixion, and remained in seclusion the following day. They later encounter the resurrected Lord after God raised Him, and received the Holy Spirit to empower them for the Great Commission. According to Church tradition, all but John endured martyrdom for their faith!

“...And they went into a house” (v.19b) – Intimacy with God remains a non-negotiable issue, for God-glorifying Impact.