Disciples by the Sea and Mountain (Mark 3:7-21)

What is discipleship?

It is not uncommon to see this word used in Christian circles to refer to a wide range of activities. In some churches, it is an alternative to evangelism. Evangelism is what you do with non-Christians while discipleship is for Christians. Indeed, we should want to bring the good news to non-Christians but what happens when we bring information and content to Christians? Is discipleship just another way of saying “teaching”? Discipleship is not less than new information but to what end and purpose? How do we know if the teaching has been received? 

Discipleship has to do with following. We cannot be a disciple unless there is a master. We can only be a disciple of someone. 

Christian discipleship involves us doing something like Jesus because of something we learn about Jesus. There is information gained about Him that is practiced so that there is a change in life. 

(A) Disciples not driven by popularity, panacea or pragmatism (Mark 3:7-12)

Jesus and His disciples were by the sea as they wanted to withdraw from the crowd (Mark 3:7). The crowds gathered and followed Jesus because they wanted to be healed and Jesus had become rather popular. From the description in Mark 3:9-10, we see the extent of the crowds. 

By this time, Jesus had achieved a certain level of popularity and scale and we might have expected Him to be pleased with this virality and popularity. Yet, He responds in a different manner. He tried to escape from the crowd. 

What is important to Jesus? Jesus was not a slave to the needs of the people. He has a clear purpose and focus and serves on His own terms, fulfilling His own agenda. No one can compel and make Him act. Jesus does not operate like the world does. 

There is also a caution for us there. It is easy to attract people when you put the meeting of needs in front of humans. Therefore, we are not to be easily impressed by crowds. 

Mark also records for us how the unclean spirits said the right things, but yet, were still not followers (Mark 3:11-12). We can say true and right things and still be blaspheming. 

Yet notice how Jesus strictly ordered them not to make Him known (Mark 3:12). Yes, it is a good thing to make Jesus known but it is not what He wants here, now and from them. 

Jesus is not concerned with popularity and pleasing man. The people were looking for healing but this is not Jesus’ goal. It would be pragmatic if He allowed the spirits to proclaim him because the ends justify the means. He is very much concerned with His goals and agenda being achieved in His way. He will not accept the revelation of a Messiah without the involvement of a cross. 

Would you want your dreams — that spouse, big church etc — without Jesus? Disciples are not driven by popularity, healing or pragmatism. Instead, our goals are driven by Mark 1:14-15. We are to speak honestly of the teachings of this Jesus

(B) Disciples called by Jesus for His new kingdom (Mark 3:13-19)

Jesus then heads up the mountain and “called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him” (Mark 3:13). This is a picture of a shepherd calling His own flock to come close. 

He called them so that He might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15). He also calls 12 to Him (Mark 3:15). In Ephesians 2:20, we read of how the apostles become the foundation for the church. The church is built on the Bible. John picks this up in Revelation 21:14 and when writing about the New Jerusalem, also mentions the twelve. 

Jesus is introducing a new Kingdom, a new order and rule, and a new Israel that is marked by twelve men who are going to be the foundation and pillars. Our NT comes from the apostles that Jesus has chosen. They are the basis for all of those books. We cannot have our NT books without these men. This is why authority is given to these men! These men were authorised with the rights as authors of God’s word. 

Thus, they needed to be with Him to hear His teaching, absorb and then proclaim it. They cannot proclaim what is not first internalised. The authority to cast out demons validate their position. Today, we do not need this authorisation because we have Scripture! 

Do our churches hold out this Bible? 

We also learn some things about these men. Firstly, Jesus also renames some of them (Mark 3:16-19). These men who come to Jesus receive a new name, a new identity. This is a new way of seeing themselves, a new way by which Jesus calls them. 

Mark also includes some details. The readers of Mark’s gospel seem to be able to know who Zebedee (Mark 3:17). Mark also mentions Judas here (Mark 3:19). This is one of the reasons why we know that the gospels are eyewitness accounts because details like these are not removed or edited out. It is also a sober warning. We can follow Jesus, be with Him, preach and cast out demons and also betray and turn away from Him. 

Thirdly, we see that there is also some diversity, for the men came from different regions. 

Finally, notice how Jesus chose twelve men to be His apostles. He had women who followed Him and also taught women. He did not choose women to be part of His primary apostolic witness. There are distinct roles in the church. 

There are also men that the Bible speaks a lot of, and others that we do not know anything of. Yet, Jesus knows each one of them. He had specific callings for each one. Even the apostles may live a “quiet” life, with no one knowing what they had done. 

(C) Disciples of Jesus are not easily made (Mark 3:20-21) 

Next, Jesus goes home and the crowd gathered again so that they could not eat (Mark 3:20). His family did not accept it and thought that He is out of His mind (Mark 3:21). The parallel account is found in Matthew 13:55-58. We see something of the reaction to His ministry by His family. His family did not believe in Jesus and thought that He is crazy. This is also written of by John in John 7:4-5.

Yet, by Acts 1, the brothers of Jesus had become Christians (c.f. Acts 1:14). In 1 Corinthians 9:5, Paul argues that he has rights as an apostle, as do the apostles, brothers of the Lord and Peter — he names the family of Jesus as a part of the church. James, in his introduction, claimed Jesus, his brother, to be the Lord. He also writes something similar in James 2:1. 

Faith does not come easily to the followers of Jesus. How did Jesus convert His family such that they become disciples of Jesus? This encourages us to pray for those around us who do not know Him, that God will open their eyes and soften their hearts. And when we see other Christians who profess real faith and we see growth, recognise that this is a long journey with Jesus and that He has worked. Their faith, tested and refined is precious. 

Are you a disciple of Jesus? Do you follow Him? Is His teaching shaping and changing you, calling you to do something different today than what you did yesterday? Is the teaching of Jesus calling you to leave behind sin and self, and joy in this life, and looking ahead to the delight of seeing Him, the joy of heaven, the glory of His presence? Do you desire the lost to be reached and the coming of His kingdom?