Relating to the Inner Twelve - Matthew

 Our next apostle had a mind for numbers and could write well. He was a quiet worker who hailed from Capernaum. He didn't ask questions, but he recorded all he saw and learned, which he eventually put into the first gospel of the Bible.

Matthew, also called Levi, experienced complexities none of the others dealt with as apostles of Jesus. 

First, he came to the group as the Roman government's tax collector with whom the men were acquainted. He knew exactly how they and other Jews viewed him. Like scum. No one liked him. Given the choice, the rest of Jesus's followers wouldn't have chosen him to be part of the inner group that would support and learn from Jesus. But he was chosen by Jesus. So, for some time, he was the outsider to the insider group - the odd man out - so to speak. 

I don't know how long it took, but we can see in the other gospels he is simply called Matthew. In other words, they forgave him. They saw a change in him and accepted him. Including him in as part of the group. He even continued as one of them after the master's death. (Acts 1) However, he never forgot this fact about himself.  Years later when he wrote his gospel, he referred to himself as the "tax-collector".

One has to wonder what he had to do to change the minds of those in the inner circle? Did the dinner party he threw for the group at his house help? Luke 5 mentions it was a great feast with other tax collectors and back-slidden Jews in attendance, thus giving the opportunity for the word to get out to those he knew. Point in fact here, Matthew had a very large house to host all those people.

This brings up another point about Matthew. He was well respected among his fellow tax collectors or they wouldn't have gone to the dinner. I mean, why would they have attended a meal where the man who pulled Matthew away from a profitable business wants to talk to them? Yet, they came to hear what Matthew and Jesus had to say.

By his own writings we know two things. He attended the Sermon on the Mount because he recorded all that Jesus taught. Two long chapters of notes. He shares several stories before he documents Jesus calling him to leave the tax collecting business. Like Andrew, he chose to leave money making behind and follow Jesus when he was called.

Which brings up an interesting aspect of Matthew. He was experienced at handling money as a tax collector, yet he was not given the job of handling the money box. That job was given to Judas, who reportedly over time skimmed funds from the container. How hard was it for Matthew to see that happen? I'm sure he knew he could do a better job.

I can relate to Matthew on so many levels. I sometimes have trouble forgiving myself for past actions that others have long forgotten. It takes reminding myself I am forgiven so that I don't let it bring me despair. I've also been overlooked for jobs and positions for which I was qualified. This has not been an easy thing to experience. But, if I wait long enough I do see God's reason for the let down.

It is through Matthew that Jesus showed the disciples, and us, that He accepts all people. Even those who are thought to be among the lowest sinners. Jesus not only accepts them but calls those rejected by others to be close to Him and in the inner group who follow Him. How sweet is that? Can you relate to that?

Matthew is thought to have preached in Parthia and Ethiopia, where tradition says he died as a martyr. In his gospel you can read how he viewed Jesus as fulfilling prophecy as the Messiah, the King of the Jews, with a focus on His teachings. In the following passages you can read about him: Matthew 9, 10; Mark 2, 3; Luke 5, 6; Acts 1, 5.

Relating to Inner Twelve - Andrew

This week we return to another quiet worker, but one who shows us many good things with which we can identify. He's a great follow-up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Let's take a look.

In Luke and Mark, Andrew enters the picture as a fisherman from the Bethsaida/Capernaum area. By deduction we know, he had to be a strong muscular man from all the years of pulling in nets filled with fish. The book of Luke tells us he and his brother were business partners with Zebedee's sons, who by the way employed workers. (Luke 5) Knowing this, we can say he was a well-to-do man, not wealthy, but better off than most in those days.

In fact, he owned a house with Simon. One that was large enough to hold extended family in it, and some after-synagogue gatherings. (Mark 1,2,3; Luke 4,8; Matthew 8)

So, in other words, he led a successful life as many might see it. He was in great physical shape, had a thriving business, and a house some may have desired. Yet, we know he was seeking more of God.

How do we know this? He not only went to hear John the Baptist but ended up becoming a student, or disciple, of his. Andrew was there when Jesus walked by after his forty days in the wilderness. When John the Baptist specifically pointed out Jesus as the Son of God (or Lamb of God depending on your translation), Andrew and his friend John followed Jesus immediately without hesitation. This action was repeated again in Matthew 4 when the men were back to work, after spending time with Jesus, and it was now time for Jesus to begin His travels, He came to Andrew's place of business and called for him. Andrew just dropped it all to follow Jesus. No questions asked as far as we know.

I see that he had the right priorities in his life. He didn't allow work or making money to stop him from joining Jesus. I can say that I am not always able to drop what I'm working on and just leave it. I suppose, though, if Jesus were standing there in person and directing me, it might be more easily done.

Before we proceed, I need to back track a moment to focus on one other thing that Andrew did. When he left John the Baptist to follow The Messiah, Andrew spent a short period of time with Him, but then he went to fetch his brother, Simon Peter. (John 1, Luke 4) He was spreading the word of The Messiah's arrival. When you find the truth, do you share it right away? Note Andrew saw for himself first, made sure he had the right information, then reached out to the closest person to him.

So far, he seems to have the ideal attitude and walk with the Lord. But, Andrew's walk with Jesus wasn't without hiccups. He and Philip seemed to be on the same line of thinking when Jesus asked about feeding a massive crowd of people. (John 6) First, Andrew reports about a young boy having five loaves and two fish. Then we see the agreement he has with Philip when he sarcastically in a doubt-filled-manner ends the report with, "... but how far would that go with this huge crowd?" Of course, he gets to experience the answer to his own question. Have you ever told God, sarcastically or not, that it can't be done? Has God ever shown you that the impossible can be done? (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Then there was the time Andrew helped Philip with a request made by Gentile strangers. (John 12) The result... they and everyone around the apostles are told basically Jesus has a greater focus happening. Not exactly the answer they were looking for. On the other hand, we see a different result in Mark 13. Andrew, along with the closest three apostles, wanted to to know about the future and the end of time. So they asked. What they got was a long reply filled with the signs they wanted to know. Andrew wasn't afraid to ask questions - whether he got the answer he wanted or one that seemed out in left field. He asked.

I can relate to Andrew's desire to know the Messiah, it is a daily part of my journey through life. As far as his desire to know details of the end of time, we are all curious. I need to remember to ask Jesus questions, even if the previous reply was not what I wanted to hear. Do you ask questions of the Lord? Do you seek to know Him better? Perhaps, there is a little of Andrew within you as well.

Andrew is said to have preached in Asia Minor, Greece and Scythia before being crucified on an X-shaped cross that is now known as a St. Andrew's cross. There are many verses to peruse regarding Andrew: Matthew 4:18-20, 10:2; Mark 1:16-31, 3:18, 13:1-23; Luke 5:1-11, 6:14; John 1:35-44, 6:8-9, 12:20-22; Acts 1, 5:17-42.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Judas Iscariot

Up to this point I've spent more time on our next apostle than any of the others. Judas Iscariot (also known as Judas son of Simon in John 13). I've been posting the names in the same order I used last time. I wasn't sure whether to keep Judas in this spot, but as it turns out, this is the perfect time to bring him up. After all, we're headed into the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Last week we learned we can be on the wrong path for the right reasons, and I have to wonder if Judas fell into this very thing. But there is a difference between Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. In the end, Judas chose not to change what his mind had already decided to do. 

In the beginning, Judas was the only one not from the Galilee area. His last name identified men from Kerioth. In fact, his people looked down on Galileans as crude frontier settlers. And even though the group of apostles must have known this, they still trusted him enough at one point that he was made the treasurer in charge of the moneybox. (John 12:4-6) The TPT in Luke 6 calls him Judas the locksmith - indicating he may have had the key to that moneybox. (This is the only place I found this information.)

Through the three years, he was there with the others listening to Jesus's teachings. Walking and talking with Jesus daily. Basking in His presence. Hearing the explanations and special insights of the parables. He even went out with a partner to perform miracles (Matt 10:1-12) and experience the Holy Spirit moving through him. He also had his feet washed by Jesus. (John 13:5)

But there was one problem.

Judas had a weakness. Money. That love of money opened him up to the influence of evil. He was even warned by Jesus in Mark 14:18-21, Matt 26:14 and John 13:11-27. But he pursued it anyway. As a result, Satan entered him in John 13:12 and Luke 22:3.

What it boils down to...He thought he knew better than the voice of God speaking to him. Possibly, he thought that he was forcing Jesus to show His hand. To show others that He, Jesus, was the Messiah come to save His people from the wicked hand of the Romans.

Here's an awful thought ... Though we may have daily walks and talks with Jesus, how many times do we do the same thing? How many times do we argue with the voice of the Holy Spirit? How many times do we assume we know what He wants? How many times do we think we know better than the warnings friends or fellow church members give us? Do we get so comfortable with our closeness to Jesus that we forget to ask Him if what we want to do is what He wants us to do?

OUCH! I know I can relate to this more than I want to think about.

But, here's where the difference comes in. Judas didn't do his deed out of the kindness of his heart; he asked for money to point out who Jesus was. In Matthew 26 and Mark 14 he even asks how much the priests will pay him to deliver Jesus to them. To back up the possibility of this request, John 12 mentions that Judas would skim money from the group's funds. Apparently, he was not a man with integrity.

Greed and the desire for wealth can overwhelm mankind. Taking control and causing them to do things they might not have done otherwise. It's like they're wearing rose colored glasses.

Matthew 27 is a pop-the-bubble moment when we see Judas comes to his senses and realizes what he'd done. He even tried to correct it, but it was too late. There was no going back.

He had fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12, Acts 1), and yet the ultimate responsibility of Jesus being tried and crucified fell on his shoulders. And, he knew it. So grief stricken by his own actions, Judas does not offer multiple sacrifices for forgiveness, instead he takes his own life.

While none of us wants to associate any of our nature with Judas, can we learn from him?

Judas Iscariot kept his focus on the ways of the earth and the troubles of life. He took his eyes off Jesus, ignored the teachings he had received, and allowed money to be a bigger goal for him.

It is scary that this can happen to anyone, no matter how close they walk with Jesus. We all have weaknesses. The key to overcoming them is to keep our eyes on Jesus. My hope is that I don't allow any weakness in me to pull my eyes away from the Lord, nor that it opens up any influence of evil and unrighteousness in my actions. What about you?

Unlike the apostles we've spoken about in the past few weeks there is quite a bit written about Judas. You can read about him in these other scriptures: Psalm 41:9; 109:8; Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 10, 26, 27; Mark 3, 14; Luke 6, 22; John 6, 12, 13, 17, 18; Acts 1.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Simon

So many of our Bible studies focus on the outspoken apostles, which makes it easy to overlook the quiet ones. And there are several. Here we have not only another quiet apostle but also one with another popular name. The name Simon occurs several times in the New Testament and refers to a variety of men. Our Simon today is called Simon the Zealot or Simon the Cananaean or Canaanite. (NKJV, AMP)

With so little written about him, what can we learn from or about Simon? Let's see what the descriptors for him tell us.

In some versions he is described as Cananaean or Canaanite. Though he hailed from the Galilee the Canaanite attachment let's the reader know he came from people known to worship other gods. However, I found that in some places it means zealous as well. By definition that means full of zeal, active, devoted or diligent.

Which leads us to the more frequently used descriptor for him . . . The Zealot. Zealots were known to be outspoken for God, stood against the Roman leaders by refusing to pay taxes, willing to use force if needed and take things into their own hands to bring about the kingdom of God. They did not want to sit back and do nothing about Rome occupying their land. For them to do so meant they were abandoning the first commandment. (The Bible Almanac by Packer, Tenney and White. The New Testament Environment by Eduardo Lohse)

So though he didn't speak out enough to have any of his conversations recorded in the gospels, he obviously spoke with zealot-like focus that the others knew where he stood. Hence, he was known as "the zealot". 

However, he obviously changed or slowed down some as he listened to Jesus. It appears he put aside his beliefs and actions to follow the one he saw and learned was the true Messiah. He must have adjusted how he had been acting for years in order to follow the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) He was obedient to the changes Jesus asked of him.

Which is reflective of his name's meanings: 'he has heard' and 'obedient one'. He is our example among the apostles of how we can be on the wrong track even if our reason seems to be for the right purpose. Yet, he demonstrated how we should change our lives and our actions when God redirects us to a different road or path.

I have experienced being on the wrong path for a right reason. I've also charged ahead on a path before checking with the Lord if it was the right timing. How about you? Do you ever feel you are walking against the current? Maybe the timing is wrong. Maybe the timing is right but the place is wrong. As for me, when I feel something is not flowing right and I check with the Lord, Jesus is faithful to stop me in my tracks and get me back where I'm supposed to be. If you find you can relate to this, try calling out to Jesus for a direction check.

As for Simon, tradition holds that he was crucified but no specific location was listed. The apostles are mentioned in Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13, 5:17-42.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Thaddaeus

Last week, we spoke about the options taken to differentiate people having the same name. Our apostle this week not only had a same name issue; he also had character concerns.

Depending on your translation and whether you're looking at Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:16 or John 14:22 our next apostle is referred to by different translated names. He's known as Labbaeus, Thaddaeus, Judas the son of James, Jude, Judah the son of Jacob, Judas (also called Thaddaeus) the son of James, Judas not Iscariot, or Judas not Judas Iscariot but the other disciple with that name. Now that's a laundry list of nomenclatures.

There was no problem with the two James's, but obviously there was with the two Judas's. I have to wonder if Thaddaeus was continually trying to keep his good name above water. He wanted to make it clear who he was, so he went by his surname.

Can you relate to the desire to keep your good name and character as is? Or changing to a new description so that you can be distinguished from a less than desirable affiliation? Or maybe it was as simple as not knowing how he wanted to be known in this little band of followers? Most translations call him Thaddeus in the gospels of Matthew and Mark, so that's how I'll refer to him.

Thaddaeus hailed from the Galilee and was also a quiet worker for whom I found little information. There is, however, one insight given to us from John.

In John 14, Thaddaeus asks Jesus a question that reflects he was paying attention to the point of reading between the lines of what Jesus was teaching. He knew something was about to change.

He was observant.

I can say there have been times I 'get it' before anyone else does. It has been a satisfying feeling, especially since there are times I'm the last one to understand what is said or implied. I can also relate to the various name changes. Can you relate to either of these two situations?

Traditionally, Thaddaeus preached in Assyria and Persia; dying as a martyr in Persia.

Besides the scriptures mentioned above, the apostles are referenced in Acts 1:13 and 5:17-42.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - James, the son of Alphaeus

Nothing has changed over the years, when friends in a group have the same first name we tend to refer to them by their last name or by a nickname. In Biblical times they would take on  'son of" or 'father of' or 'from the town or city of.'

Our apostle today was named James. There were several others who were named James among the group who followed Jesus, with two of them being apostles.

This James was known as James the son of Alphaeus. Two things stand out to me with this name. One, the name Alphaeus had to be familiar to those who would be reading the writings of the apostles. Two, the name also had to be a significant, respectable name worthy to attach it to James. Otherwise they would have picked some other way to identify this particular James. 

Just a note of interest, there are some who infer that this James is the one referred to as the Lesser or the Younger. There is no direct reference to this James being that particular James. In fact, James the Younger could very well be the younger brother of Jesus. Check out Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; John 19:25-27. Depending on the version you use, the identifying word for that James will vary. 

Getting back to this James... have you ever known someone who was always there, doing their job quietly, listening at all the meetings, knew what was to be done and did it without asking lots of stupid unnecessary questions? Maybe not even getting recognized for their efforts? Watching as others get the credit?

James, son of Alphaeus, was this way.

He had nothing ill spoken of him specifically. He didn't ask questions that brought mention in the gospels.

He isn't noted for spastic acts or standing out in the crowd.

He is a quiet worker who did not receive fanfare down here on earth. But, by his death we know he made a big impact trying to spread the news of the Messiah. You see, after preaching in Palestine, he went to Egypt, more than likely to the Jewish settlements that remained there. In the end, he met with martyrdom by way of crucifixion.

Where I tend to be a foot-in-the-mouth-question-asker and don't relate much to this quiet worker, I do know several who have this temperament. They are a blessing to know. I need to be more like this James. How about you?

You can read about the son of Alphaeus in the following verses: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13;

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Thomas

Ever step out of a room just as something big or funny happens? That's what happened to our next apostle.

The scriptures don't say where Thomas was when the risen Savior appeared to the roomful of followers, it just says he wasn't there. But when he returns and hears what happened, the nature of his comment has been remembered for a long time. Ever heard the negative phrase, "You're such a doubting Thomas."?

In his defense, here's another way to think of it. Have you ever come up to a group of friends who were hysterically laughing over something funny that happened at a party you were unable to attend? A strong feeling of being left out can swell within. Would you feel left out? I know I would. I get this part of Thomas's situation.

All Thomas did was to demand the same thing the rest of the apostles got. He wanted equality. Who knows where he was or why he left the room, but he missed it all. Missed seeing Jesus. Missed the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the commission Jesus spoke over them. Missed it! (John 20:19-25) He was more than likely frustrated, thinking he would never get the opportunity to partake in what everyone else received. I get that feeling.

As I looked at Thomas I saw a few other things.

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, they had not believed Mary Magdalene. In fact, they didn't recognize Jesus when He stood in the middle of the room. Jesus had to show them his hands and side. (vs 20) I have to wonder if they told this to Thomas. Is that why he said he wanted to see those too? Of course, once they saw those sites then they rejoiced. Hmm. So, when Jesus made His statements later in John 20:27-29 was he talking to just Thomas, or to the whole roomful of people? Hmmm.

So, was not being present the only reason Thomas was so frustrated and hesitant in believing what the others said? Let's look at two other episodes with him.

In John 11:7-16, we see Thomas as an encourager with leadership qualities. The apostles didn't want Jesus to go see Lazarus because he might get killed in the process, which is something they didn't want to happen. In fact, they argued with him. But Jesus not only insists on going to see Lazarus, he tells them he has something to show them. With resistance in the air, Thomas is the one who speaks up and basically tells the doubting disciples, "Come on people, let's support our leader, our teacher...even if we die with Him."

Then in John 14:1-6 Jesus brings up that He is going to a place that they know the way to. Thomas asks the question everyone else was probably thinking. In some ways, he was the spokesman for the group. His question shows his heart was ready to go with Jesus and that he didn't want to miss being with Him. Because of his question we see how Jesus is transitioning everyone from thinking in the physical realm to thinking in the spiritual realm.

With these two episodes in mind, I understand the defensive attitude he exhibited when he thought he missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thankfully, eight days later, Thomas had his request granted. (John 20:26-29)

In closing, here are some other details about Thomas. He hailed from the Galilee and was called the twin, Didymus. Who was he a twin to? No explanation is given. That's one question we have to wait until we get to heaven to hear the answer. Tradition holds that he was a quiet worker in Parthia, Persia, and India. His life ended in martyrdom near Madras at Mount St. Thomas.

The verses where you  can read about Thomas are: Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; John 11:7-16, 14:1-6, 20:19-29, 21:1-11; Acts 1:12-14