This, however, must remain a
pure speculation.
Another speculation which is, perhaps, rather more
fruitful is upon what principle did Christ select his twelve
chief followers. Out of all the multitudes he chose twelve men.
Why these particular ones? It was not for their intelligence or
learning, for Peter and John, who were among the most prominent,
are expressly described as "unlearned and ignorant men." It was
not for their virtue, for one of them proved to be a great
villain, and all of them deserted their Master in His need. It
was not for their belief, for there were great numbers of
believers. And yet it is clear that they were chosen on some
principle of selection since they were called in ones and in
twos. In at least two cases they were pairs of brothers, as
though some family gift or peculiarity, might underlie the
choice.
Is it not at least possible that this gift was psychic power,
and that Christ, as the greatest exponent who has ever appeared
upon earth of that power, desired to surround Himself with others
who possessed it to a lesser degree? This He would do for two
reasons. The first is that a psychic circle is a great source of
strength to one who is himself psychic, as is shown continually
in our own experience, where, with a sympathetic and helpful
surrounding, an atmosphere is created where all the powers are
drawn out. How sensitive Christ was to such an atmosphere is
shown by the remark of the Evangelist, that when He visited His
own native town, where the townspeople could not take Him
seriously, He was unable to do any wonders.
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