Gospel in Art: Jesus appointed the twelve

The Last Supper, by Fritz von Uhde, 1886 © Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, Germany

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 19 January 2024
Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or 'Sons of Thunder'; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.

Reflection on the painting

Our Gospel reading today tells us how Jesus summoned those he wanted and it lists the names his twelve disciples. The last disciple is named as 'Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him'. Mark the evangelist was writing with hindsight, knowing that Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to his enemies. Yet Mark acknowledges that Judas Iscariot was among that group whom Jesus wanted. Jesus made a clear choice of these twelve. There is no suggestion in the gospels that when Jesus chose Judas he knew at the time that Judas would betray him. But as we know, it seems that, although Jesus wanted Judas,.. Judas in the end, did not want Jesus!

The other important part of our reading is that Mark describes clearly what it is to be a disciple: to be Jesus' companion and then to be sent out. The Lord wants us, first of all, to be his companions. He calls us to be with him as he is with us; this is the call to prayer. Then once we are his companions, he calls us to be sent out. From our prayerful companionship with the Lord we are sent out by him as his ambassadors, as people who witness to his values, his attitudes and his whole way of life.

Our painting by Fritz von Uhde, painted in 1886, depicts Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper. It is a typical example of late-19th-century paintings, where many artists placed biblical scenes in contemporary settings. The scene is set in humble surroundings. Jesus is holding the chalice. Judas is the only disciple standing. We can see in his posture that he is torn: he is looking at Jesus with his hands clasped in prayer, yet he is ready to leave to go and betray Jesus.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-3-13-19-2024/