By Pastor Josiah Kehinde
“And He went up on the hillside and called to Him [for Himself] those whom He wanted and chose, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve to continue to be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach [as apostles or special messengers] And to have authority and power to heal the sick and to drive out demons: [They were] Simon, and He surnamed [him] Peter; James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, and He surnamed them Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder; And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew (Nathaniel), and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus (Judas, not Iscariot), and Simon the Cananaean [also called Zelotes], And Judas Iscariot, he who betrayed Him.”
Mark 3:13-19 The Amplified Bible
Elect of God, the Lord Jesus prayerfully and selectively appointed twelve men whom He designated as apostles (Luke 6:12-18) for two specific purposes: to “be with him” and “to send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14).
The question is, Who do you know that you think is unlikely to give their life to Jesus?
How might you invite them to consider who Christ is, and the space He has for them?
There are people whose life is rough-edged and given to even rougher language. Sadly, many of such people beliefs is that “God does not have space for someone like them.”
The truth is that God creates space especially for the rough, the guilt-ridden, and the excluded to belong and thrive in His community. This was obvious from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He made some surprising choices for His disciples.
First, He chose several fishermen from Galilee, the “wrong side of the tracks” from the perspective of those in Jerusalem. He also selected a tax collector, Matthew, whose profession included extorting from his oppressed countrymen. Then, for good measure, Jesus invited the “other” Simon—“the Zealot” (Mark 3:18).
We do not know much about this Simon (he is not Simon Peter), but we do know about the Zealots. They hated traitors like Matthew, who got rich by collaborating with the despised Romans. Yet with divine irony, Jesus chose Simon along with Matthew, brought them together, and blended them into His team.
Brethren, do not write anyone off as too “bad” for Jesus. After all, He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). He has plenty of space for the tough cases, people like you and I. Shalom
As you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that you will encounter His saving grace in every area of your life in Jesus name Amen.
I pray that the Lord will increase your Joy and shower you with His overflowing blessings in Jesus name Amen.
*Pastor Josiah KGS. GPPM 234-805-551-6088
pastorjosiahkehinde@gmail.com.