In life, when you’re coaching, leading, training, and developing an athlete, coach, or scout, you will naturally gravitate toward those who exhibit more influence, leadership, and impact than others.

Jesus experienced this as well. He had twelve disciples, but throughout His ministry, He repeatedly invested in and invited Peter, James, and John into moments the other nine did not get to experience.

They were with Him when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. They witnessed the Transfiguration. They accompanied Jesus deeper into the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion.

But why?

Why them?

Why only these three?

Scripture never gives us a single, explicit reason. However, we can see a pattern: Jesus was not only discipling people; He was preparing and developing leaders who would help multiply His mission.

• Peter would become a central leader of the early church.

• James would become the first apostle among the Twelve to be martyred.

• John would become a foundational apostolic witness and eventually shepherd the church through seasons of tremendous challenge.

Jesus invested deeply in them—not because they were perfect, but because He saw what they could become and how their lives could produce lasting impact in others and in the Church.

There is an important discipleship lesson here for us.

Don’t miss it!

When you disciple others, you may naturally gravitate toward people who demonstrate greater influence, leadership capacity, teachability, and potential for multiplication.

This isn’t necessarily wrong.

In fact, there is wisdom in recognizing that some people have a greater capacity to influence than others. It’s similar to an athlete who has the “It Factor.”

But we must be careful!

Jesus’ deeper investment in the Three doesn’t mean the other nine were less valuable to Him. Jesus loved all twelve. He served all twelve. He taught all twelve. He developed all twelve. And ultimately, He commissioned all twelve.

The lesson isn’t, “Invest only in influential people.”

The lesson is, “Disciple intentionally.”

Move with the Movers!

Listen closely: Ask God to help you recognize where a deeper investment could produce lasting Kingdom fruit.

Who is faithful?

Who is available?

Who is teachable?

Who has the character, conduct, and capacity to carry what you are trying to impart?

Who might become a disciple-making leader themselves?

Jesus didn’t measure success simply by how many people He could gather around Him.

He invested deeply enough in a few that, after He was gone, they would carry the mission forward.

Don’t just ask, “How many people am I discipling?”

Ask, “Who am I discipling who will reproduce, multiply, and disciple others?”

Who are you investing in more deeply?