The Journey to the Cross (Day 3 - ONLY JESUS)


Today’s Holy Week post has me thinking about the 12 disciples.

ONLY JESUS

Can you name Jesus' 12 disciples?  If you've been watching The Chosen or reading your Bible regularly, you might be able to.  However - there are some, who - at least for me, are a bit in the shadows.

Sure I know Simon/Peter, and his brother Andrew .  And then there was James and John, the sons of Thunder (or Zebedee to be exact).  There was Matthew, and Thomas, and Judas Iscariot.  And there was Simon the Zealot, and another James...but...but...and here is where my mind isn't as good at remembering.  

So I Googled it.

There was also Philip - a Jewish man from Bethsaida who apparently was the one to tell Nathaniel (another lesser known disciple) that "The One" Moses and the prophets had foretold in the Old Testament, was here.  Following Jesus' death Philip became a missionary in Greece and for his outspoken faith proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God - Philip was stoned and crucified in Hierapolis, Phrygia.

And there was Nathaniel (or Bartholomew) - a man from Cana in Galilee.  At first Nathaniel was skeptical of Philip's claims, but "when Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, 'Here truly is an Israelilte in whom there is no deceit.'".  When Nathaniel asked, "How do you know me?" "Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.' (Jesus was no where around).  Then Nathaniel declared, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.'" - John 1:47-49.  It is believed that after Jesus died and was resurrected, Nathaniel preached in India and may have translated the book of Matthew into their language.  He was beaten, crucified, and beheaded.

And finally, there was another Judas (also known as Thaddeus, Jude, and Lebbaeus) who asked Jesus "'Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?' Jesus answered him, 'If a man loves, me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" - John 14:22-23.  Early tradition says Judas took the gospel north to Edessa (upper Mesopotamia) , where he healed the King of Edessa, Abgar.  Later, Judas was clubbed to death for his faith.

Today, I realized that while I know the names of Santa's reindeer, and of Snow White's seven dwarves, I did not know the names of these men who gave their lives to spread the Gospel.  However, while I may not have known them, their influence was felt by those living in Greece, India, and Mesopotamia.  

And although their willingness to speak boldly about Jesus caused them to be killed, they are in Heaven today - rejoicing with all those souls who were saved because of their message.

The band Casting Crowns sings a song, "Only Jesus" whose lyrics will now, in my mind - be forever linked with these men...

"And I, I don't want to leave a legacy, I don't care if they remember me - only Jesus.  And, I, I've got only one life to live, I'll let every second point to Him, Only Jesus..."


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