Check it:
"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
Matthew 10: 2-4
These men that Jesus has chosen aren't remarkable. The disciples aren't superstars. They are simple, normal, and average men. But, what people miss all too often is this, that the disciples had one thing going for them. They had faith, they sought after Jesus, and they were willing to follow Him. They were indeed men, so their faith would hinder, their seeking Jesus would fade, and their willingness would transform into weariness and denial. However, by God's grace they would follow Jesus until their death and into eternity with Him.
We all have these faults. We all doubt from time to time if we are truly doing what the Holy Spirit asks of us. We all will loose faith in Him at least once. We can't help it - we are mere humans.
But God knows that already, just as Jesus knew the disciples and their faults. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times the night of His arrest, but He also knew that Peter would be the ROCK of Jesus' Church. Jesus knew Thomas would have a strong faith, but would first doubt His resurrection. Jesus knew that Matthew was a tax collector. He knew that Matthew cheated people like most tax collectors did, and knew his love of money. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him to His death. He knew Judas would love Him, follow Him, but that one day, Satan would wrap Judas in greed and jealousy causing him to betray Jesus to His death. Jesus knew these men had faults - He knew they were sinners.
But, Jesus chose them anyway.
Jesus doesn't call for us to be perfect, pure, or unblemished because He was for us.
Jesus calls for us to come and follow Him. He knows we will stumble. He knows at times we will fade. But He'll be there to lift us and to be our light.
We just need to be willing to follow Him.
We all have these faults. We all doubt from time to time if we are truly doing what the Holy Spirit asks of us. We all will loose faith in Him at least once. We can't help it - we are mere humans.
But God knows that already, just as Jesus knew the disciples and their faults. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times the night of His arrest, but He also knew that Peter would be the ROCK of Jesus' Church. Jesus knew Thomas would have a strong faith, but would first doubt His resurrection. Jesus knew that Matthew was a tax collector. He knew that Matthew cheated people like most tax collectors did, and knew his love of money. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him to His death. He knew Judas would love Him, follow Him, but that one day, Satan would wrap Judas in greed and jealousy causing him to betray Jesus to His death. Jesus knew these men had faults - He knew they were sinners.
But, Jesus chose them anyway.
Jesus doesn't call for us to be perfect, pure, or unblemished because He was for us.
Jesus calls for us to come and follow Him. He knows we will stumble. He knows at times we will fade. But He'll be there to lift us and to be our light.
We just need to be willing to follow Him.
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