What I like about the Bible is that it is so real. The leaders of the Early Church are shown in all their humanity - warts and all.
And in our Gospel reading we see them- once again getting it wrong. And yet it was on the back of these disciples, that Jesus chose to build his church.
That gives me heart. Because – even though I get it wrong – God doesn’t give up on me.
Imagine if Jesus had sent the resumes of the 12 apostles off to a management consultancy team for evaluation. I wonder what might have come back.
Perhaps an email like this:
Dear Rabbi Jesus:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization.
We have evaluated them against the norms required for “Senior Corporate Managers” and find that most of your nominees are lacking in background, educational and vocational aptitude for the type of bold, visionary enterprise you are undertaking.
Furthermore, they do not appear to have any concept of team and so we would suggest that you continue your search for persons with experience and proven capability. To the specifics:
Simon bar Jonah (who you also refer to as Peter) is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. He is not the sort of person you can rely on in a crisis to keep his cool.
His brother Andrew, and Philip too, seem to be followers and seem to have no leadership skills at all. When presented with a hypothetical scenario regarding the procurement and distribution of loaves and fishes, Andrew demonstrated a complete lack of vision.
James and John bar Zebedee place personal interest above company loyalty. Further they seem to have a temperamental flaw – I believe you described them as the “Sons of Thunder”. This puts a serious question mark about how they will react under pressure.
Thomas demonstrates a rather unhealthy questioning attitude that will tend to undermine morale.
We feel that it is our duty to inform you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Judaean Better Business Bureau. His Google Reviews as an income tax consultant are abysmal.
Our background check on James bar Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot (also known as Thaddeus) have revealed that they have radical ideological leanings. Simon the Zealot is closely associated with an extremist terrorist movement.
We wonder how much Nathaniel’s heart is in the mission of your ministry. Like Thomas he has an unhealthy questioning attitude and appears to be a negative influence.
There is only candidate who shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness. He interacts well with people, has a keen business mind, understands finance, and is decisive. He has contacts with influential people in high places and is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible.
We recommend that you take Judas Iscariot on as your Chief Operating Officer.
Yours sincerely,
J. Barabbas
But actually this is the exact opposite of what God chose. God’s ways are not man’s ways…
Jesus is the Servant–King. To the world that seems like an oxymoron. A king doesn’t serve – or does he. The challenge from the Gospel reading this morning is that as Christians we are called to be countercultural. In many parts of our country, “cultural Christianity” is well entrenched. We see Christian symbols on bumper stickers, on businesses, and even on cupcakes – all pointing to a Christian “culture.” But if cultural Christianity were actually the Christianity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so many dear friends would not be suffering for their faith.
Ours is not to seek positions of influence and power. Our calling is to serve, with all of our gifts in the Church to which Jesus has called us…
“The Request of James and John"
St. Benedict's Anglican Church Rockwall, TX,
*********************************************
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
MAY GOD’S BLESSING ABOUND ALL THE MORE – IN 2024!
May God Bless you and yours as we journey in this Pentecost Season…
May God’s Spirit empower us to
“expect great things from God and to attempt great things for God”…and
May God Continue to Bless Union Church!
-Pastor Mark
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