“Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.” – 1 Chronicles 11:10
David’s Mighty Men
King David was a mighty king surrounded by mighty men. These men were instrumental in making David king. David had a group of thirty chief men, but exceeding them was a more intimate group of three mighty men, Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. By the power of God these men did great exploits. More importantly, they were fiercely loyal to David. When David was trapped by the Philistines, he longed for water from the well of Bethlehem. These three mighty men risked their lives and broke through the camp of the Philistines to get the desired water for David. Instead of drinking the water that these men risked so much for, David poured out the water as an offering. Their devotion and willingness to sacrifice for him shamed his physical desire. A king couldn’t have better men to lead.
Jesus’ Fishermen
Like David, Jesus also had his inner circle. Three of His apostles He was more intimate with, comprising of Simon, James, and John. Of the twelve these three were the only ones that Jesus gave surnames. Simon, He named Peter, and James and John, Boanarges. Simon became the Rock and James and John the Sons of Thunder. Three men who walked away from their fishing boats became Jesus’ “three mighty men”. The fisher of men would use these fishermen to grow His kingdom. They did not make Jesus King, but Jesus would take these uneducated ordinary men and make them extraordinary. He would see that they indeed became mighty men. First, they needed to spend some time with Him. These men, alone, would be privy to three unique experiences with Jesus. Experiences that prepared them for their futures.
Power over death
How desperate were Jairus’ pleas for help as he fell at Jesus’ feet? This synagogue ruler had a young daughter who was very ill. The crowds were pressing upon Jesus making travel slow. Before they reached the home of Jairus word came that his daughter was dead. There was no need to trouble Jesus any further. But death is no trouble for Jesus. His response? “Do not fear, only believe.” Leaving the rest of the throng behind, Jesus allowed only His inner circle of Peter, James, and John to accompany Him to the home. Upon arriving they found much commotion and mourning. Jesus told the people not to weep because the child was only sleeping. The crowd laughed at Him. Then Jesus and the three went into the girl’s room with her parents. Jesus approached the corpse and took the girl by the hand saying, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” She immediately arose and started walking. Her parents and the apostles were overcome with amazement. It would be difficult to imagine a more emotional experience. Mourning was turned to joy, sorrow to gladness. And yet Jesus charged them to tell no one.
Jesus Glorified
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. Jesus was transfigured before them with His face shining like the sun and His clothes as white as light. No longer were these men by themselves. Mysteriously, Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. Peter was stunned and wanted to make three tents to memorialize the event. While Peter was still speaking a bright cloud overshadowed them and God spoke from the cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” Before God, the three mighty men fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” When they lifted their eyes, “only” Jesus remained. Coming down from the mountain, Jesus told the three men not to speak of the vision until after His resurrection from the dead.
Jesus’ Agony
As His imminent death was approaching, Jesus took His apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane. Once again Jesus separated Peter, James, and John from the others and asked that they accompany Him a little further into the Garden. Jesus was sorrowful and very troubled. He shared with these three that His soul was very sorrowful, “even to death”, and asked them to remain with Him and watch with Him. Going a little farther, Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” After pouring out His heart to His Father in prayer, Jesus went back to the three and found them sleeping. He rebuked Peter for his inability to watch with Him for even one hour. He challenged him to watch and pray that he would not fall into temptation, for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Once again, Jesus found the three asleep, for their eyes were heavy (i.e. the flesh is weak). Jesus went away a third time and prayed, and for the third time, He found the three sleeping. He woke them saying they could rest later, His hour had come, He was being betrayed into the hands of sinners. “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
James
Of the three, James was the first to die. Herod the king laid “violent hands” on some members of the church including James. With the sword, Herod put James to death. But James was ready. He had been with Jesus in the home of Jairus. Death is no victor, Jesus is. When Herod laid his violent hands on the church members, James probably repeated the words he heard Jesus say to Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.” After Herod wielded his sword, James was in the presence of the real King. With a nail scarred hand, Jesus took James by the hand and said, “Mighty James, I say to you, arise.”
John
While James was the first of the three to die, John would be the last. On the cross, Jesus would entrust the care of His mother Mary to John. In his old age, John would be given another vision of Jesus in His glory. On the island of Patmos, John saw Jesus in all His radiance, with hair as white as snow and eyes like blazing fire. John fell at His feet as though dead, and once again, Jesus put His hand on Him saying, “Do not be afraid.” Just like he did on the mount of transfiguration. No longer was it time to be silent. In all His majesty Jesus held out His hand holding the seven stars and said, “Mighty John, arise and write of My Glory.”
Peter
When the three mighty men fell asleep in Gethsemane, it was Peter that Jesus rebuked for his inability to watch and pray. Jesus challenged him because He did not want Peter to fall into temptation. While Peter’s spirit was willing, his flesh was weak. While Jesus was in agony, Peter was sleeping. While Satan was sifting Peter, Jesus was praying. Peter would have his own Gethsemane. He would deny Christ three times. He would weep and repent. Jesus would restore. Peter would use his experience to strengthen his brothers. When Peter was down, Jesus placed His praying hands on him and said, “Mighty Peter, rise, let us be going.” The betrayer is at hand and there is work to be done.
Are you willing to be mighty?
A King needs mighty men in His kingdom. Men who know how to live because they are not afraid to die. Men who will watch and pray. Men who are serious about walking intimately with Jesus. If you are willing, the King can make you mighty. The reward is seeing the King in all of His glory.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13