Jesus’ Motley Crew

Scripture: Luke 6:12-16

12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), 15 Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), 16 Judas (son of James)(Thaddeus), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). (Luke 6:12-16 NLT)

Jesus had been accumulating followers—disciples—for a while. Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel, and Philip may have been the first, down in Judea at his baptism. James and John began to follow him not long after he began his ministry in Galilee. He picked up Matthew in Capernaum or Bethsaida. But there were more, probably a lot more, even as many as a couple hundred who followed him more or less regularly.

Now, after a night in prayer to his Father, direction had come through the Holy Spirit that it was time for the next step. He needed to choose a few from the many to whom he would begin to give some responsibility. So from the many who chose to follow, he chose twelve to send. How different this is from our way of choosing, then training people in many or most cases for years before the “sending”.

This is Jesus’ Motley Crew! He chose two Simons, two Jameses, and two Judases. He chose fishermen, tax collectors who worked for the Romans, and political radicals who wanted to overthrow the Roman government. Jesus was able to see something in these guys even with their polarizing differences. Before long, these guys would be going from village to village preaching the Kingdom message, healing sick people, and casting out demons!

Friends, this gives me hope! Among Christians in the US right now there is so much political polarization that you have to be so careful what you say! If some folks find out you’re not aligned with them politically, you’re out! May Jesus give us a basis for common ground through loyalty to him that is greater than our political differences! Jesus’ kingdom is not “of this world”, but if we’ll let him lead, and stay with the mission he has given us, his kingdom will change this world! This gives me hope!

Prayer:

Father, Jesus has once again chosen such a motley crew of us disciples. We’re so different, so opinionated, so quick to separate over issues, so quick to draw lines in the sand that separate us from each other. Please fill us with your heart of love for the world and a spirit of humility that we may serve each other and the world you came to save!