How Men Would Have Chosen Jesus's Followers
Then he chose twelve of them to be his apostles.... Simon was one of the twelve, and Jesus named him Peter. There were also James and John, the two sons of Zebedee. Jesus called them Boanerges, which means "Thunderbolts." Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus were also apostles. The others were Simon, known as the Eager One, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus. (Mark 3:14a, 16-19; CEV)Christ’s choosing of the 12 disciples in Mark chapter 3 wasn't much like we would have done it. And that fact alone is a reminder of how our thinking can be totally different than God’s. Jesus would choose Peter and James and John and Andrew, etc., but if we were in charge we would have done better. Right? And yet they were the right ones for the job! And consider this as you read the following piece called “If Men Had Chosen The Apostles” - consider that it just might be the relationships God has for you that you've been trying to wriggle out of are the very ones that are the best for you to help you grow up to become what God wants you to be.
TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph, Woodcrafters Carpenter Shop, Nazareth
FROM: Jordan Management Consultants, Jerusalem
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the résumés of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant. The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully. As part of our service and for your guidance, we make some general comments, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation and comes without any additional fee.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have a team concept. We recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability. Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alpheaus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale. One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your comptroller and right-hand man. All the other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
Sincerely Yours.
Jordan Management Commitee
Labels: bible, christ, disciples, god's way, god's will, james, jesus, john, peter
posted by Mike C at
7:47 PM
1 Comments:
This story makes an excellent point. Too often we concern ourselves with the shortcomings of individuals rather than seeing them for their unique strengths and potential in Christ. When these twelve ordinary men were chosen, it was not for their academic or social standings, on the contrary they were chosen because of their weaknesses - so that no one can boast in their own power but of Christ's power alone (1 Cor. 1:26-30).
In opposition to our natural way of thinking (sinful nature), the members of Christ’s body that seem weaker are actually indispensable (1 Cor. 12:22). God has not designed man in cookie cutter fashion, but in a diverse manner. Just as a well-designed machine will only function properly with its various unique parts, so also the body of Christ can only function with its various unique members (1 Cor. 12:4-26).
We would do well to remember this in our own personal lives.
-When at church do we complain because there are too many hymns? Or do we complain that there are too many praise songs? Why not put the needs of others before our own and rejoice in our differences. (1 Cor. 10:24; Rom. 12:10)
-When at work do we eat our lunch with the janitors? Or do we dine only with upper management? (James 2:1-4) Who did Jesus dine with? (Matt. 9:10)
-Do we treat our employees, students, children (or anyone we have authority over) with equality in spite of their differences, realizing that each was designed by God to fulfill His unique purpose for them as a function in His body? (1 Cor. 12:4-6)
Are we tossing aside the emotionally unstable Peters in our life and embracing only the well-rounded Judas Iscariots?
We all know the lesson of 1 Corinthians 13, we may have all the gifts in the world, however, without love we have nothing. So, one thing we all can learn (including myself) is to drop our elitist attitudes and transfigure our stoic faces into smiles that truly reflect the love of God.
For further reading on this topic, a book I have enjoyed is John MacArthur’s - Twelve Ordinary Men.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength"(1 Cor.1:25).
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home