“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles)

so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14 ESV).
Christ’s three-prong strategy for reaching the world with the gospel: 1) Appoint disciples, 2) Call them to “be with Him,” and 3) “Send them out” to preach the gospel. Notice that Christ’s first call is to Himself. And so, the twelve followed Him day and night for three years. And after they saw the resurrected Lord, they preached the gospel that turned the world upside down. This simple strategy worked because they had first spent time with Jesus and were filled with His Spirit. I’m glad that Jesus is still appointing disciples “that they might be with Him.” Are you spending time with Jesus? Those who follow Jesus answer both calls: To Him and to the world.