The Call of the Apostles - Judas Iscariot

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

Today we come to the last of the Twelve Apostles, Judas Iscariot. Judas Iscariot is a name that many people know, even if they have never opened a Bible. The betrayal he represents is akin to men like Benedict Arnold, Brutus, and Aldrich Ames. As with many figures in the Bible, the early life of Judas Iscariot is not well known. Reviewing the Greek of his name, Ioudas Iskariōth, we can deduce a couple things about this infamous traitor. The first is that he held a common name used in first-century Judaism. Ioudas is the Greek form of Judah, which means “praised.” However, his last name, Iskariōth, is a little more complicated to place. The most common explanation is that it refers to his origins, identifying him as a man from Kerioth. When we look at sites with that name in the Bible, this could put him as being from a town in Moab or a location known as Kerioth-Hezron. Another possible explanation for his last name is that it could have been added later to describe his actions, as the Greek word for assassin or bandit is sikarios.

 

Though the origins of “Iscariot” may be disputed, Judas’ role as the disciple who betrayed Jesus is not. All four Gospels make clear that he is Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Christ (cf. Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, and John 12:4). John goes on to highlight another of Judas’s evil characteristics:

 

“He [Judas] said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”  (John 12:6, ESV).

 

Judas’s greed played a part in the betrayal, as Judas would go on to hand Jesus over in exchange for silver. However, this verse also highlights Judas’s role as one of the disciples. He oversaw the group’s finances.

 

It is easy to wonder why Jesus would pick such a man to be one of the original Twelve Apostles. The simple answer is that this was what God had already determined. For the longest time, only Christ knew about that identification. Judas’s story ends tragically (cf. Matthew 27:3-10). Filled with the remorse of sending an innocent man to His death, Judas returns the money to the religious leaders and goes and hangs himself from a tree. We also see how the story concludes and what happens to him; putting together the Matthew account and the Luke account, it seems that his body decays as apparently no one ever removed him from the tree, and it falls, smashing onto rocks (cf. Acts 1:18).

 

There is a very sad thought that often runs through my mind when I think of the tragedy of Judas Iscariot. His sin was no different than that of Peter. Both denied and betrayed Jesus. However, the path after the betrayal was significantly different. One was remorse and the other was repentence. Most orthodox scholars maintain that Judas was not saved. This argument rests on several points. Jesus refers to Judas as the "Son of Perdition" (cf. John 17:12), and noted that he was "doomed to destruction" so that Scripture would be fulfilled. While Judas felt extreme guilt and returned the thirty pieces of silver (cf. Matthew 27:3-5), theologians argue he felt worldly remorse rather than true, godly repentance, ultimately leading him to despair and suicide rather than seeking God's grace.

 

What we can know is that God makes that determination unltimately and finally. Whatever grace we receive comes from Him. The most important note for us is that while we yet have breath there is opportunity to respond to His grace. He is a forgiving God who desires our repentence. Trust in Jesus today!

 

The Call of the Apostles - Simon the Zealot

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

Today we come to the next to last apostle mentioned in the lists found in the gospels, Simon the Zealot. He is one of the most obscure and mysterious figures in the New Testament, mentioned strictly by name only in the biblical lists of the disciples (cf. Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, and Acts 1:13). There is no recorded dialogue or personal narratives. He was given this name by the Gospel writers to differentiate him from Simon Peter. The Greek word for “zealot” has sometimes been confused as a geographical reference to Canaan, which would make him a Canaanite (Matthew 10:4 and Mark 3:18 use Kananaios. This is, however, not a geographical reference to the land of Canaan or the town of Cana, but rather a transliteration of the Aramaic word qan'an, which also translates to "zealous one".

 

Scholars generally hold two main perspectives regarding his title. It may refer to a political affiliation: He may have belonged to the Zealots, a radical Jewish nationalist faction fiercely opposed to the Roman occupation. The movement sought the programmatic liberation of Judea, often by utilizing armed force or targeted assassinations. We will see that Judas Iscariot alos belonged to this sect. Alternatively, the title could simply describe his temperament before or after converting. It may signify that he was a man possessing exceptional, rigid zeal for the Mosaic Law and the honor of God. The latter seems more likely and favored by most scholars.

 

It is very encouraging that Simon's inclusion in the twelve highlights the unifying nature of Jesus’ ministry. He sat at the same table as Matthew the tax collector. Matthew worked under the employment of the occupying Roman government, representing the exact system that political Zealots dedicated their lives to actively overthrowing. Their shared allegiance to Christ required both men to transcend extreme political divides.

 

Because the Bible does not record Simon’s life after the day of Pentecost, his subsequent ministry relies entirely on Christian tradition. Various accounts track his evangelism through Egypt, Mauritania, North Africa, and potentially as far as Britain. Likely he was partnered with Jude. The Western church tradition frequently pairs him with the apostle Jude Thaddaeus, stating that they preached together throughout Mesopotamia and Persia. Accounts of his martyrdom vary wildly. Eastern traditions state that he passed away peacefully of old age in Edessa. Conversely, prominent Western accounts record that he was martyred in Persia by being cut in half with a saw—which is why he is traditionally depicted holding a saw in Christian iconography.

 

We can be encouraged that Jesus saw purpose and ministry in Simon. Our past does not determine our future. God holds that in His hands and directs us through the indwellin of the Holy Spirit!

 

The Call of the Apostles - Thaddeus

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

Thaddeus is also known as Jude, Judas, not Iscariot, or Lebbaeus. He is best known for his single recorded question in the Gospel of John, asking Jesus why He would reveal Himself only to the disciples and not to the world. (cf. John 14:22). Because the name Judas was incredibly common in first-century Judea, early translators and Gospel writers used alternate names to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Both Matthew and Mark refer to him as Thaddeus (or Lebbaeus); while Luke lists him as "Judas son of James". John simply identifies him as "Judas (not Iscariot)".

 

As I wrote, Thaddeus appears in the Bible during the Last Supper in the Upper Room Discourse. After Jesus says that He will manifest Himself to those who love Him, Thaddeus asks: "Lord, why is it that You will disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answers him by explaining that anyone who loves Him will keep His word, and the Father and Son will make their home with that person.

 

While scriptural mentions of Thaddeus are brief, early Christian tradition and historical writings expand significantly on his life. In fact, many scholars identify him as the author of the Epistle of Jude (often referred to as Jude Thaddeus), though I must say I differ in that opinion. I believe it was James, the Just, who was the brother of Jesus. Tradition holds that after Pentecost, Thaddeus evangelized across Mesopotamia, Libya, and Armenia alongside Simon the Zealot. Church accounts claim he was martyred for his faith in Persia or Armenia, often said to have been beaten to death with an axe or a club. In Catholic tradition, he is recognized as the patron saint of lost causes.

 

From the life of Thaddeus it is easy to see the value we gain when we learn that God values quiet faithfulness, honest curiosity, and a heart that cares for the world. Though he is rarely mentioned in the Gospels, Thaddeus’ single recorded question and life tradition offer profound spiritual lessons.

 

 

The Call of the Apostles - James, the son of Alphaeus

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

James, the son of Alphaeus, was called to follow Jesus as one of the original twelve apostles at the same time as Matthew. He is almost exclusively mentioned in the Bible within the lists of the apostles, though he is traditionally identified as "James the Less" and is distinguished from the more prominent James, son of Zebedee. In fact, his name appears in all four of the lists of the Twelve Apostles (cf. Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, and Acts 1:13). It is in Mark’s Gospel that he is referred to as "James the Less", or "James the Younger" (cf. Mark 15:40).

 

Some scholars and early church traditions suggest that Alphaeus may be the same person as Clopas, making James the brother of the Apostle Matthew (also called Levi), whose father is also identified as Alphaeus (cf. Mark 2:14). However, the Bible does not explicitly confirm this. We do know that his mother was a woman named Mary (cf. Matthew 27:56), and is one of the women noted as one who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. Historical tradition is sparse concerning his ministry. However, early Christian traditions and non-biblical writings suggest he may have preached in regions like Egypt or Persia, and was ultimately martyred for his faith.

 

Just like the story of Matthew, we see only glimpses of his ministry, but we can have confidence in the calling of Jesus. In the case of the two sons of Alphaeus, we see that Jesus called the unexpected, like Matthew, and the unknown, like James. Not all of Jesus’s disciples have miraculous or momentous testimonies, and not all have clear martyrdom traditions. Yet every person called by Christ, no matter their history or personality, can be used in the service of the Kingdom of God. Matthew was reviled by Jesus’s opponents because of his background and colleagues. James was forgotten or confused with others. Yet these same brothers, in Christ at least, were counted worthy to be sent out by Jesus, to see him resurrected, and to take the gospel into the world.

 

I hope that gives great encouragement to you to be the kind of disciple who simply does what Jesus calls them to do. Whatever, ministry you perform, whether in front of one, or one thousand, be the reflection of the grace and glory of Jesus!

  

The Call of the Apostles - Matthew

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

The next Apostle we will look at is Matthew. According to most Christian scholars, he was also one of the four Evangelists as author of the Gospel of Matthew, and thus is also known as Matthew the Evangelist. A little backstory might be helpful in our devotioal today. Remember, the Jews had returned to Judea and Jerusalem after years of exile, yet they now lived under Roman Imperial control. The Romans oppressed and subjugated the Jews, treating many like slaves. Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans, taking money from his own people for those who oppressed them. Most would have seen him as a traitor. Further, tax collectors would often overcharge and keep extra money, developing a reputation for greed and theft. Jews viewed these “publicans” as traitors and robbers.

 

However, one day, while Matthew sat working at his tax booth, Jesus looked at him and said, “Follow me.” This would have been scandalous to the religious Jews of the day to even offer redemption. After hearing Jesus call him, Matthew immediatey obeyed. He left behind his position and wealth to embrace a new life as Jesus’ disciple for the Kingdom of God. The Pharisees critisized Jesus for associating with such a sinner. But Jesus told them, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

 

After Jesus's ascension, Matthew is believed to have spent years preaching in Judea before taking the Christian message to distant regions such as Persia, Ethiopia, and other parts of the East. Accounts of his death generally honor him as a martyr, though specific details vary. His traditional relics are famously kept and venerated in the Salerno Cathedral in Italy. His story is one of the most inspiring insights into the power of transformation from the Holy Spirit.

 

His story tells us no one is beyond redemption. Once an agent of oppression and getting rich from it, he transformed. God’s voice and call can change and redeem anyone, even the ones we may feel are the least likely. In truth, no one is worthy or able to be saved. We all need his grace and mercy, and just as God saved us, he can save anyone.

 

The Calling of the Apostles - Thomas

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

 

Thomas the Apostle, also known as Didymus or "the twin," was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He is best known for his initial skepticism regarding Jesus' resurrection, which earned him the nickname "Doubting Thomas." His name comes from the Aramaic and Greek words meaning "twin”. In the Gospel of John, he bravely urges the disciples to travel to Judea with Jesus, saying, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

 

He most know because after the resurrection, Thomas refused to believe until he physically saw and touched Jesus’ crucifixion wounds. Upon seeing Jesus, he made the famous declaration of faith: "My Lord and my God!" He is thought to be one of the twelve who that Thomas traveled outside the Roman Empire to evangelize, establishing seven churches along the Malabar Coast of southern India. The ancient St. Thomas Christians trace their lineage directly to his ministry. He likely was martyred around 72 AD near Chennai, India, where tradition states he was pierced with a spear.

 

We can learn several powerful lessons from Thomas the Apostle. It is always good to value honest doubt. Thomas demonstrates that questioning is a natural part of faith. It can lead to deeper certainty. He was not satisfied with secondhand accounts and sought a direct, personal experience with Jesus. And, once convinced, his doubt turned into total devotion. He went on to evangelize as far away as India.

 

It is also worth noting there is an non-canonical writing which some have attributed to Thomas, The Gospel According to Thomas. Whether the Gospel of Thomas is "legitimate" depends on if you mean historically authentic or religiously canonical. While it is a real, surviving historical document, the vast majority of scholars agree it was not written by the apostle Thomas and was rightly excluded from the Bible. It was likely written in the 2^nd or 3^rd Century A.D, which does make it very abcient. However, unlike the four canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) which tell a narrative story about Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, Thomas is solely a list of 114 secret sayings and parables attributed to Jesus. It is interesting to read, but should be regarded as primarily fiction.

 

This in no way should detract from the apostle’s legacy. He had an inquisitive mind that led him t understand as much of Jesus and the gospel as possible. That is always a good thing. Never fear the truth of Jesus! It stands the test always!

 

 

 

The Call of the Apostles - Batholomew

 

And he [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:13–19 ESV).

Bartholomew was one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Scholars widely identify him as Nathanael, the disciple introduced to Jesus by Philip. Jesus famously described him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile". While "Bartholomew" (meaning "son of Tolmai" in Aramaic) is his patronymic surname, he is believed to be the Nathanael mentioned in the Gospel of John. In the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), his name appears in the lists of the twelve apostles alongside Philip.

 

According to John, he was from Cana in Galilee. Like the other apostles, Bartholomew witnessed Jesus's ministry, death, and resurrection. Following Pentecost, he is said to have traveled extensively to spread the Gospel. Historical and church traditions suggest he performed missionary work in regions such as India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Armenia. He is also credited by many traditions with helping to establish Christianity in Armenia alongside Jude.

 

All traditions agree that Bartholomew died a martyr for his faith. According to historical accounts, particularly in Armenia, he was brutally executed by being flayed (skinned) alive and then beheaded. As crazy as it may sound, because of his manner of death, he is recognized in in some Christian traditions as the patron saint of leatherworkers, tanners, butchers, and bookbinders. His feast day is celebrated on August 24th in the Western Roman Catholic tradition.

 

There are some things that stand out as principles we should seek to emulate in our lives from his life. First, there are times when honest skepticism can lead to true faith. When first told about Jesus, Bartholomew openly questioned, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). He teaches us that it is okay to have doubts or questions. However, instead of remaining close-minded, he accepted the invitation to "come and see," allowing his skepticism to be transformed into a powerful confession of faith.

 

Second, there is great value in living a life without deceit or guile. Upon meeting him, Jesus praised Bartholomew, saying, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" (John 1:47). Bartholomew models purity of heart, sincerity, and absolute honesty. He lived without a hidden agenda, teaching us the importance of transparency and integrity in our own lives. He was also a faithful servant without seeking recognition or attention. In the Synoptic Gospels, Bartholomew is only mentioned in the lists of the Twelve Apostles, with no major personal storylines recorded. His legacy reminds us that you do not need to be in the spotlight to do extraordinary work. True fulfillment comes from quietly and faithfully fulfilling your mission.

 

These are traits we all could use more display of in our lives!