Sunday 23 December 2012

Christ's "Inner Circle"

     Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, along with James and his brother John, are always mentioned first in the biblical record whenever the apostles are listed together by name (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13). They were the first to be called by Christ to comprise his immediate band of followers (Mark 1:16-20), and both sets of brothers appear to have been present when Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:29-31). Throughout the remainder of the Gospel narratives, with the single exception of Mark 13:3-4, Andrew essentially fades into the background as the other three rise to prominence.
     Peter, James, and John were the only disciples allowed to accompany Jesus when he raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Mark 5:37). On the mountain where Christ was transfigured in the presence of Moses and Elijah, none of the apostles was invited to witness this glorious event except Peter, James, and John (Mark 9:2). In the Garden of Gethsemane, not long before his arrest and eventual execution, the Lord selected only Peter, James, and John to accompany him to a solitary place for prayer (Mark 14:32-35).
     Why were these three men consistently singled out and set apart from the others? Why were they given unique opportunities that were unavailable to anyone else? What was so special about them to be allowed into Christ’s most inner circle? The following observations may be of interest.
UNLIKELY REPRESENTATIVES
     Peter, James and John were among the most unlikely representatives of Christ. As Galilean fishermen, skilled in handling boats, nets and fish, what did Jesus see in them as prospective teachers and spiritual leaders? They were clearly not men of polish, prestige, and influence. They lacked formal education and rhetorical training (Acts 4:13) and were certainly not the brightest and most refined that could have been chosen. Each had significant character flaws as well. Peter was erratic and impulsive, slow to listen and quick to react. He regularly misread situations and misunderstood the Lord’s purpose, requiring constant rebuke and correction (Matthew 14:31; 16:22-23; 26:33-35; John 13:6-8; 18:10-11; et al.). James and John, apparently due to their fiery temperaments, earned the unenviable title "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). They were impatient, intolerant, and quick to judge (Luke 9:54), not to mention prideful and self-seeking (Mark 10:35-44).
     As Jesus looked beyond their glaring imperfections and saw extraordinary potential, these unimpressive and profoundly flawed human beings went on to become effective evangelists and capable leaders in the early Christian movement. As a matter of fact, it is precisely because of their heightened fallibility that the power of God is more clearly evident in all they achieved. And the same Lord is still capable of accomplishing the unexpected through imperfect people like you and me.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NKJV)
NICKNAMED BY CHRIST
     Another intriguing observation is that Peter, James and John are the only three apostles to have been nicknamed by Christ. Petros ("Peter"), the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic Kēphas ("Cephas"), is the designation Jesus gave to Simon (Mark 3:16; John 1:42). Such a respectable name, meaning "a stone" and thus signifying firmness and stability, is clearly not descriptive of what Simon was like when he first received it. Nonetheless, it is precisely what he was expected to become (see Jesus Called Him 'Peter' Only Twice). The Lord designated James and John Boanērges, Aramaic for "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). As noted above, this appears to have been indicative of their volatile dispositions at the time but certainly not what they were expected to be.
     We see here the use of two different approaches to achieve comparable goals. Peter’s name was a constant reminder of the rock-solid character he needed to develop, whereas James and John’s less-than-flattering moniker highlighted what they needed to overcome. Different people are motivated by different things. While the ultimate aim of all that Paul and his colleagues did was "to be well pleasing to [the Lord]" (2 Corinthians 5:9), other motivating factors included the coming judgment (v. 10), the terror of the Lord (v. 11), and the love of Christ (v. 14). What compels you might not have as strong of an influence on me, and vice versa. As we "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13), we ought to utilize whatever works most effectively for each person.
THE WEAKEST DISCIPLES?
     Although Peter, James and John have historically been acknowledged as the Lord’s "inner circle," this does not necessarily mean they were his favorites. It may rather suggest that they were among the weakest disciples and needed the extra attention. In view of the extreme importance of the work they were being called to do, and considering their significant shortcomings and the fact that Jesus was not one to show partiality, this seems to be a reasonable deduction.
     The lesson here is that each member of Christ’s body is not only different but has unique potential with accompanying needs. None is without importance, all have God-given responsibilities, and every disciple should be directed accordingly.
No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schims in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:22-24)
RESPECTIVE LENGTHS OF SERVICE
    Peter, James and John were prepared by the Lord for active roles in his kingdom and for different lengths of service. After only fourteen years of preaching the gospel, the apostle James was killed in AD 44 by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2). The apostle Peter reportedly suffered martyrdom at the hands of Nero in the mid-60s (cf. 2 Peter 1:14), ending approximately three and a half decades of missionary activity. Traditionally the apostle John is believed to have died near the end of the first century after seventy notable years of apostolic ministry.
     Here we learn that what really matters to the Lord is not longevity of service but faithfulness to the task. The parable of the vineyard workers likens the kingdom of heaven to a landowner employing laborers for his vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). Those hired early in the morning agree to the customary daily wage, whereas others recruited throughout the day end up receiving the same amount. From a worldly point of view, those who labored for the shorter periods were in a favorable position compared to the ones who worked the longest. But from the heavenly perspective, what a blessing it is to serve God on earth for as long as possible! The later in life one puts off obeying and serving Christ, the more he/she misses out on what is truly worthwhile. James was blessed with a few good years of productive ministry, and while he went on to his eternal reward comparatively early, Peter had the greater honor of serving for a longer period of time. But it was John who had the greatest privilege of laboring in the Lord’s vineyard the longest.
CONCLUSION
     Can you in any way relate to Peter, James, and/or John? Are you an unlikely representative of Jesus? Have you discovered what effectively motivates you to faithfulness? Are you ever weak and in need of spiritual support? Do you possess a sincere willingness to remain committed to the Lord until the end? If so, welcome to Christ’s inner circle!

--Kevin L. Moore

Related PostsJohn of ZebedeeJames of ZebedeeSimon Peter

Image credit: https://eastdailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/jesusjamesjohn-srgregoryemsosb-800.jpg 

8 comments:

  1. It is incorrect to say that the inner circle is because they were the weakest disciples. The problem here is you say this is by reasonable deduction. By this saying you are using your fleshly mind to understand when you can not. You have to listen to your spirit. The reason they were called into an inner circle is because of the calling the Lord put onto them. God gives us the tools we need to fulfill our calling and that's what he was doing with these three. These important events they were part of is what they needed to do what God needed them to do. We are all weak. There is none more weak than another. Weak is weak and there are no variations of such. We all stumble and fall, but in our weakness, his strength is completed.

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  2. Thank you for your feedback. I’m wondering how you are distinguishing between using “your fleshly mind” and listening to “your spirit,” since you have provided no biblical support for your comments. Is this your subjective opinion with which you judge a “reasonable deduction” to be “incorrect”? The “reason” you propose is not a reason. Of course “God gives us the tools we need to fulfill our calling,” but this does not explain why these three men comprised this apparent “inner circle.” You claim “there is none more weak than another.” Yet Jesus was speaking to Peter, James, and John when he said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38), and Paul distinguishes between the “weak” and the stronger members of the church (Rom. 14:1-2; 15:1; 1 Cor. 8:9-11; 1 Thess. 5:14). I appreciate your thoughts, but it would be more helpful to discuss the scriptures. A good passage for your last comment is 2 Cor. 12:9-10.

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  3. Very well said amerikiwi 😁

    Thank you so much for this post with supporting scriptures. It has opened my spirit to explore this deeper and continue to sharpen my Sword. Again, thank you and God bless you! ✝️💖

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  4. Enter your comment...THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR ENLIGHTENMENT TO THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT CHRIST'S INNER CIRCLE.
    .GOD CHOSE JESUS AND JESUS CALL US,DESPISE NOT OUR WEAKNESS AND SINFULNESS,GOD IS FAITHFUNESS AND JUST TO BEAR US AMEN!

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  5. I've often thought this myself: these relatively volatile men cannot be left behind, albeit that Jesus seems to pair the brothers together at the sending out of the 12 (Matthew 10:1-5). Serving the longest they seem to learn the least. There is a sense in several scriptures that they are comparing themselves to one another and to the others, whereas they will differ greatly in service and death and are told to expect this. Peter and John will also provide very different emphases in their memories of Jesus' teachings, despite being there all the time from beginning to end. It's a fascinating topic. Jesus' discipleship is much more complex than one would think at first sight.

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  6. The son of thunder or boanerges did not mean negative at all n did not given because of the tempramental trait but because they were given spiritual gifts of preaching that their voice will be powerful as thunder. Omg this can be misunderstood and as far as i know about john the most loved apostle is because he was the most gentle and giving person in nature compared to other apostles.

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    1. The compound expression Βοανεργές combines βοάνη (“sons [of]”), the plural form of the Aramaic bar [בני], and ργες, which is either the Aramaic rḡaš [רגיש] (“tumult”), or rḡaz [רְּגַז] (“anger” or “rage”), or a phonetically strained version of r’am [רָעַם] (“thunder”). While Mark’s Greek translation seems to favor the latter (having heard the word through a Galilean accent, cf. Matt. 26:73), the other options may shed light on the intended application. Prior to their transformation under Christ, James and John were impatient, intolerant, and quick to judge (Luke 9:54), not to mention prideful and self-seeking (Mark 10:35-44).

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