"Then Jesus went up a hill and called to himself the men he wanted. They came to him, and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. 'I have chosen you to be with me,' he told them. 'I will also send you out to preach, and you will have authority to drive out demons'" (Mk 3:13-15 GNT).

This version makes crystal clear what some other versions seem to lose. For example, the NLT has "they were to accompany him, and he would send them out". Our first calling is to be with Jesus; to build a personal relationship of deep friendship with him: to love him with our whole being and to receive the full measure of his love for us. First and foremost, he has chosen us to be his friends; even more than that: his brothers and sisters in the family of God. He also sends us out. 

Many serve out of duty. When this happens, the love, grace and humility of Jesus are rarely seen in them. When we serve out of relationship we represent him well. Alexandra, in her excellent mini-preach, said something I had never thought of before. She said he chose these men to be with him for his own sake. Jesus later said to them: "I no longer call you servants … instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (Jn 15:15).  

Jesus is God in human form. He is a member of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They enjoy a relationship of perfect love and unity. But when the Father poured out the sin of the world onto his Son's shoulders, followed by the full fury of his wrath against our sin, Jesus suffered the most terrible and unimaginable pain and horror of his Father's momentary rejection. Jesus cried out in a loud voice: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He spoke as a man – as our representative – suffering in our place.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as he was coming to terms with what lay ahead of him and sweating blood, he needed the loving support of human friendship, he asked Peter, James and John to keep watch with him, but they let him down. They couldn't keep awake. He didn't scold them. He recognized they wanted to be there for him, but were just exhausted: "the spirit is willing but the body is weak".

That the One who is called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is 9:6) would be willing to make himself so vulnerable in order to rescue me, overwhelms me and leaves me breathless. That he would value my friendship is beyond my comprehension.

You laid aside your majesty, gave up everything for me,
suffered at the hands of those you had created.
You took all my guilt and shame, when you died and rose again,
now today you reign, in heaven and earth exalted.

I really want to worship you my Lord, you have won my heart and I am yours;
forever and ever, I will love you.

You are the only one who died for me, gave your life to set me free
so I lift my voice to you in adoration (Noel Richards).