“He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach.” — Mark 3:14
Jesus appointed twelve disciples for two main purposes: 1) to be with Him, learning from Him and growing in their relationship with Him; and 2) to be sent out to spread His message, preaching the Gospel. This shows the importance of both intimate fellowship with Jesus and active participation in His mission.
As followers of Christ, it’s essential to have a close relationship with Him, spending time in His presence through prayer, the Scriptures, and fellowship. At the same time, we are also called to go out and share the message of Jesus with others, using our lives and words to proclaim the Gospel. Our time with Him strengthens us for the work He calls us to do.