The Standard November 22, 2025
You might have heard it said in a sermon or lesson that “your best ability is your availability.” The twelve apostles, immediately upon being called by Jesus, made themselves available to follow and to learn. In those days, it was more common for students to seek out rabbis in order to become disciples, but Jesus initiated the process. The number was symbolic, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel, but highlighting a new beginning. The New Covenant is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant, being somewhat unexpected and entirely revitalizing. Both are important, interconnected parts of God’s redeeming work in the world.
Because of nicknames and some repetition, it can be difficult to remember the names of the twelve apostles. Andrew was called by Jesus, then brought his brother and fellow fisherman, Simon. Simon tended to be impulsive and to wear his heart on the sleeve. Jesus gave him the nickname Peter or “rock.” In the Gospels we read of Peter walking on the water, promising never to deny Jesus, but to lay down his life for him, if necessary, and urging Jesus not to wash their feet. Up on the mountain during the Transfiguration, Peter wanted to extend the experience and offered to build shelters or tabernacles for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane before the arrest, Peter suddenly struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off one ear. Despite a moment of weakness when Peter denied Christ three times, he went on to become a strong, effective witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Another set of brothers called by the Lord were James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Fishermen like their father, they were also referred to as the Sons of Thunder, due to their often-excitable temperaments. Once they wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village. Their mother did them no favor when she asked Jesus if her two sons could sit at his right and left in God’s kingdom.
Peter, James, and John made up Jesus’ inner circle, accompanying him up the mountain for the Transfiguration, to the healing of the daughter of the synagogue ruler, and to the inner area of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. These three got the closest view of miraculous events.
Two apostles each authored a gospel. Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector when Jesus called him from his booth. The Gospel of John as well as 1, 2, and 3 John and Revelation were written by the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” a son of Zebedee.
“PBJ” helps me remember Philip, Bartholomew (also called Nathanael), and James. This second James was often called James the Less and was the son of Alphaeus. The second Simon, Simon the Zealot, had been part of an intense group that took up arms against the occupying Roman forces. Thaddaeus and Thomas also were part of the original twelve, as was Judas Iscariot. We often remember Doubting Thomas and Judas the Betrayer, but might have a difficult time remembering Thaddaeus. These ordinary men, often slow to understand Jesus’ teachings, were given the Great Commission.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
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