Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luke 6:15 names Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes the Zealot among the twelve called and ordained to the apostolate. Their calling was the first step in the organization of the church that after Christ's departure was to be His representative on earth. Their ordination followed a night Jesus spent in prayer to His Father, showing that He sought communion with God before important work.
The calling took place with no costly sanctuary, beneath sheltering trees on a mountainside a little distance from the Sea of Galilee, where the sermon on the mount was also given. Much of His teaching was given under the open sky rather than in the temple or the synagogues, in part because no synagogue could have received the throngs that followed Him. Fields and hills were His favorite resorts, and He withdrew from the confusion of the city to the quiet of fields, groves and hills He loved, regarding each quiet retreat as a sacred temple. The quiet surroundings suited the lessons of self-denial and self-abnegation He wanted to teach. Surrounded by the works of His own creation, thoughts could be turned from the artificial to the natural and the principles of His kingdom revealed in the growth and development of nature, and the sacred experiences of that day were forever linked in the disciples' minds with the beauty of mountain and vale and sea.
The call to Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom, offered no flattering prospects in this life and no promise of gain or worldly honor. Matthew made no stipulation about what he should receive and demanded no salary equal to his former occupation, but left all and followed without question or hesitation, content to be with the Saviour, hear His words and unite with Him in His work. So it was with John and Peter and the others, who left boats and nets at once without asking how they and their families would live and sustain themselves, and afterward lacked nothing. Being numbered among the apostles did not mean a person was free from unworthiness or false belief, as shown by Judas being numbered with them. The same call comes today, so that when hearts are touched by His love the question of compensation is not uppermost, but men rejoice to be co-workers with Christ and trust His care.
Luke 6:15 names Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes the Zealot among the twelve called and ordained to the apostolate. Their calling was the first step in the organization of the church that after Christ's departure was to be His representative on earth. Their ordination followed a night Jesus spent in prayer to His Father, showing that He sought communion with God before important work.
The calling took place with no costly sanctuary, beneath sheltering trees on a mountainside a little distance from the Sea of Galilee, where the sermon on the mount was also given. Much of His teaching was given under the open sky rather than in the temple or the synagogues, in part because no synagogue could have received the throngs that followed Him. Fields and hills were His favorite resorts, and He withdrew from the confusion of the city to the quiet of fields, groves and hills He loved, regarding each quiet retreat as a sacred temple. The quiet surroundings suited the lessons of self-denial and self-abnegation He wanted to teach. Surrounded by the works of His own creation, thoughts could be turned from the artificial to the natural and the principles of His kingdom revealed in the growth and development of nature, and the sacred experiences of that day were forever linked in the disciples' minds with the beauty of mountain and vale and sea.
The call to Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom, offered no flattering prospects in this life and no promise of gain or worldly honor. Matthew made no stipulation about what he should receive and demanded no salary equal to his former occupation, but left all and followed without question or hesitation, content to be with the Saviour, hear His words and unite with Him in His work. So it was with John and Peter and the others, who left boats and nets at once without asking how they and their families would live and sustain themselves, and afterward lacked nothing. Being numbered among the apostles did not mean a person was free from unworthiness or false belief, as shown by Judas being numbered with them. The same call comes today, so that when hearts are touched by His love the question of compensation is not uppermost, but men rejoice to be co-workers with Christ and trust His care.