Are [We] Still So Dull?

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Matthew 10:2-4, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Jesus poured His teaching into these twelve (and Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot). But they were slow to learn (as we often are). “How long shall I [Jesus] stay with you [the disciples]? How long shall I put up with you?” (Matthew 17:17, NIV 1984). “‘Are you still so dull?’ Jesus asked [the disciples]?” (Matthew 15:16, NIV 1984). I fear He must feel the same way about us at times.

But the dullness would change. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, NIV 1984). Early in His ministry, “many who heard [Jesus] were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him?'” (Mark 6:2, NIV 1984). They did not wonder where Peter and John got it. They knew that they “had been with Jesus.”

I am sure people were astonished by the rest of the disciples as well. How can we know this? “[Jesus] said to them: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7–8, NIV 1984). Tradition tells us that all but John died martyrs. For no other reason than that they “had been with Jesus” and had been His witnesses. Yet the Gospel took root and flourished.

My Advice – The commission Jesus gave to His disciples has been handed down through many generations to those of us who are His modern-day disciples. We must not shrink from that command. “[Has He] not commanded [us]? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord [our] God will be with [us] wherever you [go].” (Joshua 1:9, NIV 1984). But to be effective, people must be able to see that we “[have] been with Jesus.”

In order for them to see that, we must “make every effort to present {ourself] before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NET Bible, 2005). To know what we believe, why we believe it and how to defend it with gentleness and respect.