The Original Dirty Dozen

 

The Original “Dirty Dozen”

By Mary Ann Wray

The 1967 fictional war film “The Dirty Dozen,” was inspired by a real-life U.S. Army unit called the Filthy Thirteen. This unit was part of the 101st Airborne Division and was known for its rebellious behavior while disregarding military customs. The movie fictionalized the unit by depicting them as convicted criminals sent on a suicide mission. The Filthy Thirteen were not felons but soldiers who didn’t regard or adhere to strict military regulations.

In the movie, Colonel Breed handed Major Reisman, a roguish non-conformist, an important assignment as D-Day was fast approaching. He was tasked to train a team of unscrupulous soldiers to parachute across enemy lines and assassinate German personnel at a French chateau. The soldiers were recruited murderers, rapists and criminals on death row. In exchange for their service, they were promised commuted sentences. In spite of their history, the 12 men proved to become a spirited and courageous unit. Led by Major Reisman, they took revenge and accomplished their mission but not without severe casualties.

Almost everyone loves a good war movie with a victorious ending-in this case bitter sweet.  But what struck me the most was that 12 rough and tough criminals were transformed into courageous soldiers through the work and dedication of one man. Major Reisman could relate to these 12 criminals, so Colonel Breed chose him for the task as someone who could shape them into something better and more useful for war time efforts.

Jesus, the perfect Messiah used 12 ordinary men to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, overturn the “religious system” of that time and change the Gentile and Jewish world forever. The were a dirty dozen at one time. Some of them were full of pride, self-assurance,  self-righteousness,  lofty opinions and ideologies; yet Jesus shaped them into totally different men by the time He went to the cross. Jesus demonstrated through this dozen of his, that through following Him and His teachings to the fullest, ordinary people could be transformed into a different ‘image’ altogether. See Romans 12: 1-2

But the original 12 men were unlearned. A few of them zealots, impulsive, hot tempered, greedy, mostly common fishermen, a few with more illustrious types of careers but none of them justified from their sins. They were still dirty. Jesus chose them not because they were righteous, learned leaders or impressive by human standards. He chose them by a different set of criteria that makes no sense to the human intellect. He didn't choose them because they had it all together, were attractive, charismatic or charming. Quite the opposite actually. He chose them because they were teachable. He chose them because He saw qualities within them, He could mold and shape into being devoted followers and future spiritual leaders of the church - yet to be born. He saw hidden qualities of the heart that drew Him to them and they to Him. It was a supernatural magnetic attraction of destiny. After three years of unlearning and learning what truth and justice by God’s standards really were, they would propagate the same teaching. They would bring others into the saving knowledge of Jesus as Messiah and become world changers.

The original dirty dozen would have much to learn, sacrifice and forsake, but in the end, they became the very ones God would use to change the world and make more disciples - minus one. The “one” who betrayed Jesus did so because something that is in all of us, never got out of him. He loved money and his own life more than God. We see that today. Once devoted followers of Christ, have forsaken the “way” and chose another gospel, another Jesus and another spirit. By their fruits of greed, abuse and narcissism we have witnessed the results of their defection and ‘falling away.’  Though they have a form of godliness they deny the power by reverting to fleshy carnal ways of “serving” their master, who no longer is Christ but mammon. We must take heed lest we fall into the same trap of deception and pride of life.

The “one” defector of Christ, Judas, was replaced by the other 11's vote by lot. Matthias was selected in fulfillment of Psalm 69: 25 and Psalm 109: 8. However, I believe although Matthias fulfilled prophecy through the casting of lots, he wasn't Jesus’ personal choice. One reason why I believe this is that we never hear of Matthias in the New Testament again. Another reason why I believe he wasn’t Jesus’ choice is that the disciples cast lots while waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. They hadn't been filled with the Spirit yet so they still relied on old methods rather than being led by the Holy Spirit (See Acts 1: 26). Their Rabbi was gone and the new “teacher” hadn’t arrived yet. The Day of Pentecost was in the near future. I believe it was Saul who would become Jesus’ pick and replacement for Judas. Paul the Apostle would turn the Gentile world upside down (See Acts 9: 1-19) and become an Apostle of Christ.

He identified himself as an Apostle of Christ in the introductions to at least five of his undisputed letters: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians.  He often used phrases like “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” While he was not one of the original twelve apostles, Paul and the other disciples considered him an apostle called by Jesus to preach to the Gentiles. Paul was confirmed to them through the influence and persuasion of Barnabas at Jerusalem and later in Antioch. See Acts 9 and Acts 11.

Jesus appeared to Paul post His resurrection and ascension meeting the criteria in order to be considered worthy of apostleship. The criteria for being an apostle of Christ included, being a male disciple who had accompanied Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, which, by the way Matthias did, be a witness to the resurrected Christ and being directly chosen and commissioned by Him. Sorry ladies, women were excluded from apostleship but not discipleship.

Twelve ordinary men, aka disciples "the dirty dozen", would experience the cleansing, delivering power of the Messiah and later, on the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks (Harvest), receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit along with at least 120 others. That was a fulfillment of the Old Covenant Feast of Weeks, where 3,000 souls were added in one day through one powerful sermon by the Apostle Peter. The church was born that day and thousands of souls were Born Again! The same man who denied Christ three times, would become a prominent leader of the church in Jerusalem which mainly consisted of Jews and eventually wound up being crucified upside down for his witness and work for the Kingdom of God. Talk about a transformation!

The abiding dunamis power of Holy Spirit, would become the full-time teacher, comforter and propelling power needed to replace their Rabbi after His ascent to the Father. He would now abide “in them” through being anointed by Him, with the Holy Spirit HIMSELF. This is something they didn't have before, and couldn't have until Jesus ascended to The Father. This 'anointing' wouldn’t be a ceremony with oil; it would be an actual abiding and seal with Holy Spirit Himself! See John 16: 5-15; 1 John 2: 20 & 27. Holy Spirit Himself, through his abiding presence, would lead and guide them and every believer today,  into ALL truth. As a result of the Holy Spirit’s infilling and abiding presence, the early Apostles and disciples would produce in kind and do the works Jesus did but in greater measure. More world changers for the Master in one degree or another would be produced from generation to generation.

Yes, Christianity is still alive and well, despite the greed and corruption that has crept in by ungodly leadership in some circles. God is overturning the money changing tables today through exposure while preserving His remnant. God is still looking for quality over quantity. God still has his dozen. Though not the original apostles, they exist today. 12 represents the government of God. The government of God consists of those men and women that He elects and raises up to be his messengers in these last days. These messengers know who they are and what they are not. They remain humble and broken before Him and love not their lives even unto death. See Revelation 12: 11.

Those “dozen” who know Jesus and who spend time at his feet and studying His word are the ones God is using today to overthrow corrupt church systems. These are the ones He has raised up to establish and bring about true reformation in his ecclesia. These are the ones He is using to declare the everlasting gospel of the Kingdom of God without compromise, leaven and greed. It will not be through some “great ones” but through sons and daughters who have been filled and prophesy the truth. Jesus didn’t use “great ones” back in the day. It’s the same today. He will use unlearned but yielded and obedient ones who are teachable and will study to show themselves approved unto God. Those who sit at his feet and stay (abide) with him to the end of themselves.  Like the original dirty dozen these are they who have been cleansed and delivered by the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.

“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.” Daniel 11: 32-33