You Have Been Chosen From a Lineup

Luke 6:12 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,15 Matthew, Thomas,James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot),16 Judas (son of James),Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Many disciples were following Jesus at the time of his choosing 12 to be apostles. Apostle (def) one sent on a mission. There were those who were followers of Jesus and His teachings and then there were the Apostles and Jesus chose them by name. The names were important and Jesus even changed Simon's name to Peter and the significant things Peter did always listed his name as Peter and no longer Simon. These Apostles were sent out on a mission to do the work of sharing the gospel as if it were Jesus himself. These guys got it right most of the time, but sometimes they just messed up and they would come back to Jesus, the sender, and ask Him how to do it right. One other man was chosen to be an Apostle and His mission was listed in most of the books of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul wasn't a disciple when Jesus called him. In fact, He hated Jesus and those of The Way and saw many of them killed by the indictment given by Saul. Yet Jesus wanted Saul so much he met him as Saul was on his way to kill more Christians in a town called Damascus.

Those who accept Jesus and follow Him are called disciples. I am a disciple of Christ and if you have received Christ, you are a disciple of Christ. But we read in scripture where the things Jesus commanded His apostles to do are things we are compelled to do as well. That is because we are the called and we are to live our lives as though it were Jesus living this life. Modern day slogans and movements have tried to capture this heart cry from our Savior. Sayings like WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) were born and they seemed really catchy but they soon faded into the apathetic sunset with other things like Evangelism, Spirit-led living, and many others. Jesus didn't call these guys from a line up to do something temporal or weak, but He called them to live a life of purpose and total commitment. All of those men who were named were important because Jesus chose them to a life of importance. We tend to categorize people by how many times their names are written in the Bible, but you can bet if Jesus called them they all had purpose and significance. Why? Because of the one who was calling them from that line up.

If you have become a follower of Jesus by receiving Him in your life, then you are a significant part of God's plan and His purpose for you has great meaning in the whole story of life. YOU!! You are someone with direction and that direction is found in your relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God!! No more bad self image. No more feelings of inadequacy or regret. You are significant because God has a great plan for your life. Too many Christians never reach out and serve Christ because they feel worthless in light of the greatness of God and so they say "Well I am nothing, so there." Jesus IS everything, so that opens up a whole new way of living that is powerful and effective for the kingdom. I actually believe it is Satan who is trying to convince us we are nothing, and we know who he is. The Father of lies. So don't listen to him or anyone who represents him who tries to make you feel worthless because that is a lie. You are a diamond in the rough and the Holy Spirit gives you the abliity to shine through the refining process of sanctification. Paul knew the power of God in a person's life and the signifcance of that power and He encouraged his "son in the faith" Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. There is a reason we need to live this life of purity and it is because God has great plans for us and our name is important to Him and our life is important to Him. Remember, He is the one who leaves the 99 to go get the 1, so we have significance and all I have to say is. Praise God!!

The importance of the calling of Saul on the road to Damascus is a dramatic picture of God calling us with great purpose and power. The choice is ours and we must answer the call and step out of the lineup when He calls our name because He has great plans for us and all who meet us. Join together with others and live the gospel and just see what great things God can do with your life. You are to be a person of purpose and it is all about His purposes. To the world you may be insignificant, but to God you are called to be a World Changer!!

The Pilgrimage continues.....

David Warren