Jesus chooses and uses me too!

Reflecting on Luke 6:12-16

"He chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles." (Luke 6:13)

What I find most comforting in this passage is the people He calls to be apostles.
Though we don’t know them all, we know something about some of them.
Simon, the hard-headed disciple Jesus called ‘Rocky’ (Peter).
James and John, the sons of thunder (who wanted to burn a village alive).
Matthew the Jew who betrayed his people to serve the Romans.
Thomas the doubter (I can relate to him).
Simon, one of the knife-wielding extremists (labelled a terrorist).
And of course Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus.

Why does Jesus choose these ones?
Luke later describes them as “unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13).
Paul later discerns a lesson in the people chosen to follow Jesus.

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Jesus chooses and uses ‘nobodies’ so show that it is all grace.
This is encouraging to me: I am called and received by grace, not by my goodness.
My list of weaknesses and failures does not disqualify me from serving Jesus.

This is also convicting and humbling, a reminder that I am no better than others.
My list of accomplishments do not put me above others.
My seminary training does not make me wiser.
My work in the church does not make me closer to Jesus.
The twelve are not better than the others; they’re the first to be called of many.
(In Luke 10 Jesus will go on to call 70 more, and eventually everyone is called).

I am motivated by this list of names: I belong among Jesus’s sent ones.
That is what the Greek word ‘apostle’ means, to be sent on a mission.
The Latin version of the word ‘apostle’ is missionary, one that is sent.
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
All of us are on a mission from God, even the most unlikely of us.

Jesus later sends His apostles two by two to different towns (Luke 10:1).
Luke specifically mentions that these were towns “where He was about to go”.
In other words, their mission was to prepare the way for Him to do His work.
Where is Jesus sending me?
Each day wherever I am, wherever I go, I prepare the way for Jesus.
Jesus uses me to prepare hearts to experience His message, His grace.
Ordinary, unschooled, weak and flawed me… I show people the meaning of grace.
I am well-qualified to do this, for I am as weak and flawed as these first ones.

My job is not to impress people with how skilled or wise or good I am.
My job is to show people that if I can be saved to serve, anyone can.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing me just as I am. Thank you for using me despite my weakness and flaws. I am both humbled and motivated by Your grace. Use me today to show the people I meet how amazingly good and gracious You are!