Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Twelve Apostles

Is there any message in the order how the twelve apostles are listed? Luke 6:12-16 says: "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (NIV)

Matthew 10:1-4 says: "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 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; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." (NIV)

Notice that in both lists, Judas Iscariot is listed last. One would assume that is because of his betrayal. However, just prior to Iscariot, in both lists are James, Simon the Zealot, and Thaddaeus or Judas son of James. Why are these three relegated to the back of the pack? Could it be a conscious choice to disconnect the Hebraic connection to Jesus? The three referenced are Jesus' brothers. Many people do not know that Jesus selected his own brothers to be part of the original twelve. If you did not know that, ask yourself why you were never taught that fact. I submit that the reason you never knew was because between the second and fourth century, there is a deliberate move to eliminate the "Jewishness" of Jesus. That move would have included Jesus' family. Have you ever considered how they are portrayed in a negative light? If you want to know more about Jesus, study the historical man, His culture, His family, and His life.

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