13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach…
I struggle with the distinction between Jesus calling disciples to “follow” Him, as with Levi (Matthew) in Mark 2 and “appointing” them in this chapter.
Is there a crucial difference between Jesus calling one person at his job on the spot to come with Him and simply appointing a select number at one time?
Here’s a possible difference in the Greek: Poieõ, to make, from poios, quality. To endow a person or thing with a certain quality; to qualify, to make, appoint, constitute.
The keyword study contrasts this with another derivative prassõ: to do or perform. Poieõ, it says, brings out more of the object and end of an act while prassõ brings out more the means by which this object is attained.
It may be that prassõ, which I take liberties to extend to “following,” or consistently patterning ones life after the example of Christ, is vastly different from being made—poieõ. Being called up to a standard of discipleship and being equipped to be a disciple are two distinct things.
Do I stress the following of Christ based on my own accomplishments, progress, and spiritual success and forget that I have already been wanted, called, and appointed specifically by Christ to accomplish His work?
Sometimes I think I allow my work to replace His Workmanship.
Jesus,
I rest today in Your finished work. I am what You have made me. I am appointed. I have a different quality than before I received the call. And I am fully equipped by Your Holy Spirit and able by Your power to do the work.
Amen.
– C
Sixty-six books in a year 