Day 9: Choosing the Twelve

Jesus spots a tax collector named Matthew Levi at the gate. He collects toll money for customs as people pass through. As Jesus looks at him, Matthew senses it and looks up. Jesus says, "Follow me." Matthew watches Him go for a moment. Silently, he stands and leaves everything to follow Jesus. Later Jesus goes up a hill to pray. He prays the entire night to God. When He comes down from the hill the next morning, He gathers His followers. From them, he chooses 12 apostles. Simon (who Jesus named Peter) and Simon's brother Andrew had been the fishermen who experienced the miracle of a large catch of fish. Then Jesus chooses James and John, Philip and Bartholomew. And He chooses Matthew, the tax collector he had called at the gate. And finally Jesus chooses Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus.