It was not a happy time in that little group. Already there had been squabbling among the men as to who was the most important and where each would stand in the kingdom. You see, they too believed that this man they followed would become the King of the Jews; you all know the story of that fateful week. There will be more next week as we look at Good Friday and treachery.

Twelve men were close to the Master. Each had been selected for his heart. For most heart was the only thing of any consequence they had to offer. They were Jews and, it appears, were God-fearing Jews who were looking for the coming of the Messiah. They were simple men whose lives and the world in which they lived were about to change forever.

If we were a search committee looking at the twelve resumes of these men as applicants for the job of, let's say, being your pastor, none would likely make the cut. These men who would become the founding fathers of a great religious system would rather be fishing. None had attended seminary. The only church they attended was the synagogue. Some of them were barely literate. One was a traitor; one would be easily passed off as an old reprobate. Two were brothers who saw themselves dressed in courtly robes and sitting at the side of the King; they even sent their mother to plead for them. They were either too old or too young and after three years of listening to Jesus teach and even tell of His impending death they had no clue as to what was going on; a most unlikely bunch indeed.

This eventful week in the lives of these men brought about a metamorphosis. A week later the reprobate who denied his master had become one of the most powerful preachers the world has ever known. The traitor was dead. The centurion who commanded the detail had confessed that this man was indeed the King of the Jews. Tradition says that Pilate's wife left him and became a Christian. The enemy, Satan, the fallen angel, danced with glee only to find himself forever under the foot of those who followed the King.