Listen

He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas, who betrayed Jesus.

Matthew 10:1-4

Think

The body of Christ is quite colorful, made up of people from all walks of life: businesspeople, doctors, teachers, pastors. Jesus’ first group of disciples had many kinds of people, including fishermen, a tax collector, and a Zealot (a radical).

It’s significant that Jesus chose both a tax collector (Matthew) and a Zealot (Simon the Cananaean) to be among his disciples. While the Zealots were radical, anti-Roman believers, tax collectors worked for the Romans and were seen as traitors by many of their neighbors.

These two would not have naturally been close friends. But Jesus flips social expectations upside-down. He invites both Matthew and Simon to follow him, to be among of his closest friends. It likely took some time for Matthew and Simon to get along, just like it may take us time to get along with believers who are different from us. Though our opinions and our occupations may differ, Jesus sees past our differences and invites each of us to follow.

Ben Browne

Pray

God, thank you for creating me to be unique. Remind me that, though I am different from others, we all share a calling to follow you. Amen.

Go

Go and see the world as God sees you.