Based on Prayer With the Father...

By Mary Vee
Mark 3, Luke 6

From Mark's Journal 

Sea of Galilee, Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Mark. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

Surrounding most of the Sea of Galilee are mountains. Actually, some are very tall hills, but some are the size of mountains. 

There were times when Jesus wanted time  alone, even away from his close followers, to pray. He would walk up one of the mountains, often at night while we slept. 

This particular night Jesus went to a nearby mountain to pray to the Father. He was there all night.

At this time, there were already many men who had followed Jesus on a regular basis. More than twelve. If our home was nearby where we happened to stop, we slept there then rejoined the group in the morning. 

On this evening, some men slept by the shore, some went to their homes.

When morning came, we all met by the shore waiting for Jesus to return. When he did, he called all of us together. We ate our morning meal and waited to hear him speak.

Jesus said, "I spent the evening praying to my Father. It is good to have so many of you following me. My Father and I have selected some of you to remain close to me to receive special teachings for the remainder of my work."

There had to be about seventy or more of us there. We looked at each other wondering who would be chosen.

Jesus said, "I have chosen twelve of you. These twelve will also be apostles." He looked out at the men gathered around him and eyed each man as he called his name. "These men are Simon, whom I have named Peter, your brother, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphas, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot."

I must admit, I was really happy to hear my name called...because I believe, I truly believe this man, Jesus...He is the Son of God. 

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.