Worship Thought - Disciples

You know a person grows up hearing about Jesus twelve disciples.  They become a generic group.  Unbelieving, doubting, quick tempered, uneducated fishermen.  Yeah there is a tax collector in there.  One denies Christ.  One betrays Christ then kills himself.  It is all very... well frankly depressing.

This past week those of us in the English teaching program (English and Korean teachers) have been learning more about these disciples from an adaptation of the Desire of Ages.  I have had it on my mind all week and can't go to sleep until I type it up.

First let's talk about John.  There is a reason why he grew the closest to Jesus.  He was the youngest and so had a more child-like heart than the others.  He was more receptive and trusting and so Jesus was able to communicate His deepest teachings through him to His people.  He had to lose his temper and criticism of others though.

Philip was a sincere man honestly looking for the truth.  His downfall was that he was slow to believe, even with Jesus' miracles.  I can completely understand that.  So many times I wanted to believe in things I was learning about Jesus, but for some reason I wasn't quite as trusting as I should have been.

Nathaniel, like John, had a child-like trust as well.  He had his share of unbelief as well.  But he studied and learned and grasped.  Jesus patiently cultivated him turning Nathaniel from student to teacher.

Jesus spent time with His disciples, as He called them and gathered them around Him, to pray for them and ordinate them for the coming ministry.  He spent a lot of time at this point out on the hillside.  A lot of time in prayer when everyone else was sleeping.

While this was going on, someone who looked important pressed in among the disciples.  He showed that he was a smart and skilled person.  He wanted to join this inner circle.  The disciples took him to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him and saw Judas: knew what choices he would make and the selfish reasons he had for wanting to join them.  Jesus didn't turn him away though.  There was at least a sliver of desire in Judas to be a good man, and Jesus would give him every chance He could by having him within His influence day after day.

"Later history of Judas would show the danger of allowing worldly consideration to have weight in deciding someone's fitness for the work of God."  However with Judas, Jesus took him as he was and worked with him just like He did with the others.  Judas clung selfishly to revenge and sullen thoughts, thus allowing Satan access.

All the disciples were corrected, and they all stayed with Him despite that.  As each of the disciples slowly came closer to Jesus, they inadvertently drew closer to each other as well.

Jesus did not choose to use angels who had never fallen.  He chose to use those who are like those He wishes to save.  His disciples differ so much in a way that allowed those they were reaching to be able to connect with one of them.

We are flawed.  We make mistakes.  We have our doubts and less-than-perfect past.  Our lives aren't so grand now either.  However Jesus is using us to reach others.  He gladly will give us personally the education He knows we need.  He eagerly embraces each person and strives to keep us as close to Him as we allow.  He doesn't force, but He never gives up.

He is our Humble Hero.