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| James J. Tissot, 'David and Saul in the Cave' (1896-1902), gouache on board, The Jewish Museum, New York. |
(Audio)
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
The selection of the Twelve took a different tone than the calling of the first disciples. It was not something that simply had during his travels as the opportunities arose. It was a decisive moment that occurred after a night spent in prayer. For this he would not go out to them but rather would rather call them to himself, "and they came to him". Here was more than a rabbi selecting students. Here Jesus was forming a renewed Israel around himself.
Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (see Matthew 19:28).
The selection of the Twelve had a great continuity with what had come before, a fitting fulfillment to the promises, including those to Abraham about his descendants, and to David about the kingdom he ruled. But it was not merely a nation or a kingdom in that limited sense that Jesus was forming.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons
Jesus gave the leaders of the new Israel the authority to do what he himself had already begun to do. Their thrones of judgment were not merely for the settling of earthly disputes. Their authority was not merely the authority of a state to keep the citizenry in line. Theirs was first and foremost a spiritual authority over the power of sin and therefore even over death itself. People could come to the Twelve to experience they first experienced from Jesus: the truth that made one free. Rather than fighting off the yoke of the Romans the Twelve used their authority to fight against the dark powers themselves by undermining the foothold of sin that allowed them to maintain their influence in the world.
We recognize the special ways in which those appointed as successors of the Twelve continue to possess this power and authority. They are uniquely empowered to preach, to convey the forgiveness of sins, and to exorcise demons. But although their role is unique we have all been called by Jesus to a unique mission, entrusted with the truth that we need to stand fast in freedom, and given the authority we need to fulfill the role he has chosen for us. We know this because we know that we have all been made priests, prophets, and kings and queens by virtue of our baptism. We all possess the same anointing of the Holy Spirit from which this authority issues. We need not live as mere passive victims to the powers of darkness in our lives.
If we have lost our sense of the anointing and the power that arises from it then the time has come for us to listen for the summons of Jesus. Let us spend some time apart with him so that he can confirm us in our mission. That mission may at first seem to us too simple to require such dramatic assistance. For example being a parent, or an employee, or a friend, for going to the grocery store, or even using social media all might seem too insignificant to fall under the auspices of our mission. But there is nothing too insignificant, no business of ours in which God himself does not desire to be involved.
David demonstrated the way in which it is better to fully involve the Lord than to merely take matters into one's own hands. He was fully capable of slaying Saul as he slept in the cave. Saul had been threatening David's life and David knew that he was destined for the kingship. But even then he would not overstep the authority given by the Lord with merely human supposition or pretense about how to accomplish that destiny.
The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master,
the LORD’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him,
for he is the LORD’s anointed.
There may be new places in our own lives where the Lord desires to make our kingship or queenship evident. But we must not try to seize them ourselves. We must be patient, even through suffering, trusting that the Lord is more than able to deliver on his promises in his way, in his time.
And now, I know that you shall surely be king
and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.
May we not despair when we encounter opposition. May we hold fast to the end that we might be saved, saved unto the fullness of life that Lord desires to bestow.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
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