The Pilgrim Path---Mark's Gospel 3: 13--21

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach. and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, "He is out of his mind."

---The "divine summons"---The Lord Jesus calls His Own and they come to Him...they come for life, hope, and peace...Then a special appointment--- for special service...

---The Son of Perdition is "set apart" as well---to remind us all---that you may be: in the church and not be "in Christ"---you may be close to the truth---and never actually "come" to a saving knowledge of the truth...Please remember that when the Lord Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him, they all asked, "Lord, is it I--that will betray you?" Not one of the disciples said, "We know it's Judas!" They all trusted him to be the treasurer...

---The Apostle's were what we would call "ordinary" men. They became world renown by submission to the extraordinary Savior...

---The family of the Lord Jesus thought he was mentally unstable. He needed to be "evaluated" by local professionals of some kind. Please think about this quote from Bishop J. C. Ryle: "Few things show the corruption of human nature more clearly, than man's inability to understand zeal in religion. Zeal about money, or science, or war, or commerce, or business, is intelligible to the world. But zeal about religion is often reckoned foolishness, fanaticism, and the sign of a weak mind. If a man injures his health by study, or excessive attention to business, no fault is found:---"He is a diligent man."---But if he wears himself out with preaching, or spends his whole time in doing good to souls, the cry is raised, "He is an enthusiast and righteous over-much."

This is something I saw for the first time in Leadership Magazine (I bet---30 years ago---had to share)

RESUME OF THE APOSTLES

TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph / Woodcrafters Carpenter Shop / Nazareth 25922

From: JORDAN MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

Dear Sir,

Thank You for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but have also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two bothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine moral. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they have both registered a high score on the manic depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely,

Jordan Management Consultants

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art---

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Irish Poem, ca. 8th century

The LORD Bless & Keep You All, Pastor Jason