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AUTHORITY TO APPOINT APOSTLES (MARK 3:13-19)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is, “Authority to appoint Apostles” Authority means the power or right to make decisions. The title “Apostle” means one who is sent off or commissioned to represent and carry the message of a superior. An Apostle is an ambassador and it refers to the main 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and later Paul who were sent off to propagate the Gospel and provide leadership to the early Church. We can safely say that anyone appointed to represent Christ in the world is discharging an apostolic role. To be appointed Apostles, we must first become converts or new creations through the hearing of the Gospel, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Second, we must become mature disciples of Jesus through constant studying and obedience to the Word of God. Thirdly, we are appointed Apostles when the image of Christ is in us and we are ready to go into the world to proclaim Him as Lord and Saviour. In other words, anyone projecting Jesus in the world for many to be saved through Jesus is an Apostle. Apostles are evangelists, Church planters and leaders. We shall reflect on the fact that no one can become an Apostle of Jesus Christ unless he or she is appointed through His authority and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to represent Jesus in the World.

Beloved in the Lord, to become an Apostle, we must be appointed and empowered by our Lord Jesus Christ to represent Him in the world through the preaching of His Word and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. (Mark 3:13-15). It is important to note that believers of every generation have been appointed and empowered to discharge the apostolic mandate. The apostolic mandate was given to the twelve disciples of Jesus and by extension, all generations of believers that will come after the twelve disciples. Jesus gave the apostolic mandate when He said “ “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you… “(Matthew 28:18-20). Again, before His ascension, Jesus assured the disciples and other believers that “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Truly, Jesus is the only one who has the authority to appoint Apostles.

Dear friend, being appointed apostles or sent into the world to represent Christ may come with challenges and persecutions but we are greatly comforted by Jesus’ assurance that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Because He has appointed us Apostles and knows how enormous the mission is, He has promised to take care of our needs when He said ” “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals;… (Luke 10:2-4). Indeed, our obligation as Apostles is to stay focused on the mission of preaching the Good News; for Jesus assures us again, “… do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33).

Beloved in the Lord, we must be ready to endure suffering or hardship when we are appointed disciples and apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ . Being appointed Apostles may require that we sacrifice our very lives for the sake of the Gospel. Some of the Apostles were tortured and killed but the heartwarming news and assurance we receive from Jesus is that “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) Again, Apostle Paul’s final words to Timothy gives us great joy and hope that our Apostolic ministry shall be rewarded when He wrote, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Beloved in the Lord, it is a great privilege and grace to be appointed as Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ in this sinful and broken world. Let us continue to Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As Apostles appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ, we derive great encouragement and admonishment from Paul’s letter to Timothy when He wrote “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Let us remain focused regardless of the challenges we shall encounter while discharging our apostolic mandate, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Authority to appoint Apostles” We have discovered that no one can become an Apostle of Jesus Christ unless he or she is appointed through Jesus’ authority and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to represent Jesus in the World.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, empower us through the Holy Spirit to fulfil our apostolic mandate in our broken world. May we represent You by following Your teachings and perfect examples so that through our Apostolic ministry many will come to know and believe in You as their Lord and Saviour. Amen.