Luke 6:12-19  "And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." 

I'm trying to picture the scene that Luke is painting for us.. Jesus on the mountain.. Jesus calling His disciples to Him... and choosing from those who came up, the 12.  Jesus set apart these 12 as "apostles" - delegates, messengers, ambassadors.  This was a very significant moment. Jesus and His Father spoke all night about this selection... they were each chosen according to the Father's will:

Simon, now called Peter, and his brother Andrew.  James and John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew (Levi); Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, the Zealot; Judas, son of James; ( Matthew and Mark call him Thaddeus)  and Judas Iscariot, the traitor.  

This group came down "to a level place".  There was a great multitude of people gathered to "hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured." Luke tells us that "power was coming from Him and healing them all."  The people wanted to touch Him, but it didn't matter if they did.. for the Power of God filled that place in a way that no one could deny Who He was... they all were being healed. 

It was at this moment that Luke includes the powerful message that Matthew recorded as the sermon on the mount.  The crowd heard this message, but Luke notes that Jesus addressed it first to His disciples.. "turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say..." 

Father in heaven, You lead us through every day.. every choice.. every step.  You delight in the details of our lives.  When we stumble, You keep us upright. You hold us by Your hand. ( Psalm 37)  Thank You Father, for such grace and kindness.  Fill us, fill our churches, fill our country with this Truth and help us to take hold of Your promises by faith and follow Jesus.  We are reminded that many are called but few are chosen. We thank You for inviting us.. and for choosing us to be Your own.  May we be faithful all the days of our lives.. to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and to You, our Gracious God and Father. Amen.