Mark 3:13-19
Jesus called (calls) people to become his disciples. Disciples were (are) people who follow him. All people are called to be disciples of Jesus.
But Jesus called twelve individuals to be particular disciples. And within those twelve, he often spent time with three disciples in particular who shared certain intimate and special circumstances with Jesus (Peter, James, and John).
Take a moment to think about what Jesus did in these callings. He set specific people apart for certain leadership. This doesn’t jive well with what sometimes can be called the democratization of the gospel. The gospel is for all. But not all receive the gospel in the same way.
Even today, while notions of equality hold strong and deep roots in society and even the Church, the Kingdom of God knows little to nothing of democracy.
Jesus is King. He loves all. He calls all. He welcomes all. But not all is equal. And when we’re ready to acknowledge that…it’s okay.
Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up on a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve and called them apostles. He appointed them to be with him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to throw out demons. He appointed twelve: Peter, a name he gave Simon; James and John, Zebedee’s sons, whom he nicknamed Boanerges, which means “sons of Thunder”; and Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, Alphaeus’ son; Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Ephesians 4:7, 11-13
God has given his grace to each one of us measured out by the gift that is given by Christ.
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He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.
Prayer
God,
I tend to like the idea that everything is equal for all people. The notion was interred within me by good, solid Western education. And my own privilege tends to reinforce the notion (to make me feel better). But in the end, I know it’s not true. Not all is equal for all people. Help me to acknowledge this and to reconcile it within your Kingdom.
In fact, Lord…I pray that you rid me of desires for equality and only fill me with love. I spend too much time worried about equality and not enough seeking to understand what it would look like for all to be loved.
Start in me today. As I see people, help me to love, regardless of circumstance.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Mannn this is hard for me to wrap my head around. Things aren’t equal, but I thought we were trying to make things equitable for all. I’d love to talk about how this should play out and look when it comes to serving people.
I agree. God cannot be boxed into equality or equity. Peter wanted to know if John would face apparent martyrdom like he would, and Jesus said “What is that to you?” Later, the Lord communicated to Peter the surprising news that God was far more open to including all people in the gospel message than he had imagined (or even wanted). Later on, the Lord would send Ananias to lay hands on Saul, the chief persecutor of the Church. He said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul reveals in II Cor. 11 the astonishing list of things he did suffer for the sake of the gospel. I think we can agree on the fact that God has a great and wise purpose, and that He is more loving and kind than any of us deserve. He works with us individually and personally…but equality in opportunity or outcome is not to be expected.