The People Jesus Calls

San Simón | Jusepe de Ribera/Image: Saint Jude Thaddeus | Georges de La Tour

What kinds of people does Jesus call to follow him? When Jesus chose his disciples, what does their character say about him?

Jesus calls all kinds of people to follow him. When Jesus called his disciples, he called them prayerfully and intentionally.

Jesus called hot-headed fishermen, someone who would deny him, the unknown, devout Jews, siblings, a hated tax collector, doubters, the well known, religious Zealots, people from good families, and even a betrayer to follow him as his Apostles.

The Gospel of Luke tells us, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” (Luke 6:12–16, ESV)

Who Jesus calls says a lot about his Grace and character. Who Jesus calls also says a lot about what he thinks of the potential of those who he calls. Jesus’ calling expresses Jesus’ grace and hope for those he calls to follow.

May we have hope and be encouraged by the people Jesus calls, and may we hear when Jesus calls us to follow, because if he calls people like the twelve—he calls people like us.

In Christ alone, Robbie

A Collect For Simon and Jude, Apostles: “Grant, O God, that as your apostles Simon and Jude were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

San Simón | Jusepe de Ribera/Image: Saint Jude Thaddeus | Georges de La Tour