THE DISCIPLE SIMON (THE ZEALOT)

Luke 6:15 (KJV)
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

INTRODUCTION:

Simon, the Zealot, one of the little-known followers called the Canaanite or Zealotes.

He lived in Galilee.

He was a Zealot=A Zealot was one who was a member of a political party,

  • a fanatical Nationalist,
  • a person devoted to the Law.
  • They had a bitter hatred for the Roman government.
  • They were responsible for the military uprising in 66 AD which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

In

Matthew 10:2-4 (KJV)
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

we see Simon listed right after Jude, who was also a Zealot.

Luke also lists them together. They may have been good friends.

Why would Jesus chose a disciple who had such background?

I)A TRUE DISCIPLE HAS ZEAL.

a)Simon was more than a political zealot.

Zeal portrayed his personal lifestyle.

He was an enthusiast.

Zeal is a commendable quality.

It can be infectious and a blessing to others.

b)Zeal must be the right kind of zeal.

2 Corinthians 9:2 (KJV)
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

  • Many have zeal but the wrong kind of zeal.
  • Before Paul got saved on the road to Damascus he was zealous in persecuting the Jews that did not follow the law.

Philippians 3:6 (KJV)
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

i)The false religions, today, have zeal but no knowledge of God.

II)CERTAIN PRINCIPLES IN JESUS’ TEACHING COUNTERED THE ZEALOTS.

Luke 20:25 (KJV)
25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

a)This must have antagonized the Zealots. Simon had abandoned all his hatred for the faith that he showed toward his Master.

III)We know very little about Simon’s Christian life except he truly experienced

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

a)Simon was in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Acts 1:13.

b)He still bears the name “the Zealot”. This now is for identification only. It does not describe his political behavior.

c)He submitted to the teachings in

Romans 13:1-4 (KJV)
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Civil power comes from God. Vs. 1.

God condemns revolution against the government.Vs. 2.

Those who do good should not be afraid of the authorities. Vs. 3.

The civil laws are for our protection and our good. Vs. 4.

IV)CONCLUSION:

Why did Jesus choose Simon a revolutionary, who was a risk to His cause?

  • The answer is simple: Jesus clooses a man for his potential, not because of his past.

He died as a martyr. His apostolic symbol is a fish lying on aBible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became afisher of men.