HOW TO BECOME AN APOSTLE
THE 'THIRTEENTH' APOSTLE
BY DR.MERVYN ABREO
Don’t miss the opportunity to become an
‘Apostle’ of the Lord.
James Hadley Chase, one of the leading
novelists of the sixties had once said: ‘’ There is no such thing as luck.
There is only opportunity.’’
Jesus
had twelve Apostles. And how many of us, had we had the opportunity, wouldn’t
have given up everything, just to be one of the inner circle of twelve?
But
there were some who had been offered this elite position, but had sadly missed
out. Let us see why, so that if offered such a position today, we too will not
make the same mistake.
WHY WAS A THIRTEENTH APOSTLE NEEDED?
Because there are twelve tribes in
Israel that needed to be judged. Initially
there were twelve Apostles. But Judas betrayed Jesus and hung himself.
Therefore, had there been a ‘thirteenth’, he would have stepped into the shoes
Judas’ shoes.
THE NEW TWELFTH APOSTLE:
After
the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, His followers gathered
together to appoint the twelfth Apostle. From His original group of followers,
two names were proposed, Joseph and Matthias. They prayed and cast lots, and
Matthias was chosen.
THE MAN WHO DID NOT GET THE
OPPORTUNITY:
THE
DEMON-POSSESSED MAN:
He was possessed by a legion of demons. But when Jesus delivered him, he was so
grateful, that he begged of Jesus to let him join His immediate band of followers.
But instead Jesus sent him home
with instructions to tell them “how much the Lord has done for him, and how He
has mercy on him.” So the man went away and spread the good news in the
Decapolis (ten cities), and the people were amazed. (Mark 5: 1-20)
THE MAN WHO GOT THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT MISSED IT:
The
rich young man! (Mark 10: 17-31).
When this rich young man told
Jesus that he kept all the commandments, He loved him. But wanting to take him
to a higher level, He told him to sell everything, give it to the poor and to
come and follow Him. (He may have got an Apostleship.) But crestfallen the man
goes away.
Note: Nothing wrong with Christians
having riches. It’s the attachment to these riches that is bad.
A CAMEL & A NEEDLE:
Jesus
had said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 19:24).
Note: The
‘eye’ of a needle is the wooden stake inserted into the ground at the entrance
of a park, garden etc. to prevent an animal from getting inside.
SUMMARY: All believers should become the thirteenth
apostle. It’s simple. Just follow the eleventh commandment: love the Lord and
the folk around you.
HOW? EVANGELIZE!!
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Dear friend,
I
look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:
drmervynabreo@gmail.com
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