12 Ordinary Men

One month ago today I was walking around in Jerusalem, finishing up an incredible ten days of touring Israel. Just about all of the places we went followed either the life of Jesus or those of His disciples after He called them out of their various occupations to come and follow Him. What is incredible is how God chose 12 ordinary men and used them to turn the world upside-down (or perhaps more accurately, right-side up) for the advancement of the Gospel.

John MacArthur has written an excellent book focusing on the lives of these twelve disciples of Jesus, bringing to light excellent insights on their personalities, characteristics, and backgrounds. He brings up the question at the outset, why would Christ choose a group of unlearned, self-centered, common men? Perhaps it was to show that His strength is made perfect in weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

MacArthur noted that every time in Scripture, the twelve disciples are listed in three groups of four, listed in the order of their closeness of friendship. Peter, Andrew, James, and John formed the first group; Philip, Nathanael, Matthew, and Thomas; made the second; James the Less, Simon the Zealot, Judas, and Judas Iscariot were the third group. Consequently, there is more in the Bible recorded about those in the first two groups than those in the final group, as they were the ones asking questions or doing special tasks for the Master.

Peter was the spokesman for the group—perhaps because he had the biggest (foot-shaped) mouth and the least control over it. No one speaks as often as Peter in the New Testament (aside from Jesus, of course), and as such Jesus had the most words of correction or admonition for Peter over any other person. Names mean a lot, especially in the Bible. The very first time Jesus met Peter, He gave him a new name of "Rock" to remind him to be steadfast—not to be double-minded or give up. Any time Peter messed up, Jesus addressed him by his old name, Simon. Throughout his time with Christ, Peter exemplified qualities of a leader that helped him rise to the inner circle of Jesus' followers: inquisitiveness, initiative, and courage. He was an all-or-nothing individual.

Andrew's forte was in bringing people to Jesus. He had a special ability to see value in individuals and a zeal for showing them the way to Christ. Andrew most often served in the background, but his moves were bold and deliberate. He was the one that set the stage for the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 by bringing the lad with the 5 loaves and 2 small fish to Jesus.

James and John, brothers like Peter and Andrew, were passionate men. Their fiery disposition earned them the nickname, Sons of Thunder. Both were part of Christ's inner circle, and John was also known as the apostle of love. These traits come out very clearly in John's writing style in his gospel account as well as his letters to the Church. His writing is often in stark contrasts or absolutes: "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10).

Phillip was expectant and ready to follow the Messiah as soon as he found him. Actually, it was Jesus who found Phillip, but still Phillip had the choice to get up and follow. That he did is significant, because Phillip's personality was one of by-the-books, facts and figures, and very pragmatic. His friend, Nathanael, also was willing to "come and see" and take an honest look at objective reality when faced with the truth. Nathanael was familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures and could recognize Jesus' fulfillment of the prophesies immediately.

Matthew, the former tax collector, was part of the social outcasts of his day. Working for the Romans put him at odds with his fellow Jews and effectively made him a religious outcast as well. He stands as a prime example that Christ came to rescue sinners if they will just acknowledge their sin and look to Him for grace.

Thomas is often remembered for his doubting tendencies and slightly pessimistic outlook, but through his moodiness, his love for Christ stayed true. Christ knew Thomas' heart and invited him to touch the wounds and be transformed from his tendencies of doubt.

James, Simon, and Judas (also called Thaddeus), though not talked about much in the Scriptures, reveal through other recorded history that God uses ordinary people in remarkable ways. Each one of the original 12 (except for Judas Iscariot) took the Gospel to the entire world and were persecuted and killed for their faith.

The last disciple in every list of the 12 is Judas Iscariot. He stands as an example of the evil potential of spiritual carelessness and hardness of heart as he betrayed the Lord for a bag of money, which he didn't really want anyways. He began as the others did, but unlike them did not internalize Christ's teachings. God's sovereign plan cannot be overthrown, and Judas Iscariot was the one the devil used to actually bring about God's plan of salvation.

This post has become longer than I intended it to be, but if you've made it this far, no doubt you'll agree with me that the work John MacArthur put into this book has resulted in a phenomenal wealth of insights into the lives of twelve men, who apart from Christ's calling probably would have continued in their lives of relative obscurity, but after Jesus' call became world changers. I highly recommend this book—or the audiobook as I used—for anyone who wants to increase their faith and become more like the Teacher.

Leaders are Readers

For the past several months, I have been going through a Bible study with the other Verity staff guys where we study the facets of spiritual leadership. Our most recent lesson focused on the fact that leaders are readers. We learned that the Apostle Paul, when under house arrest, specifically valued the scrolls and the parchments above any other material thing, requesting those be brought to him quickly. He knew the importance of reading (and also the importance of writing down his thoughts). It is also worthy of note that immediately following Paul’s famous exhortation to Timothy to let no man despise his youth, but to be the example to the believers of speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, he continued, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

In starting this blog, a primary motivation is to record the lessons God is teaching me as I am learning them. One of the best ways to learn is through gleaning nuggets of wisdom through the lives and the words of faithful men—those who have gone before and proven the way. In this vein, coupled with the fact that leaders are readers, I’ve decided to change some of my habits and spend more time either in reading good books or using pockets of “spare time” to listen to a variety of excellent audiobooks I have access to. It is in these moments of “sitting at the feet” of wise men that I that I can benefit from their experiences, knowledge, and insights.

Today I had the unique blessing of selecting books out of a ministry center library that is being liquidated. I was able to choose a variety of biographies of great Christian men and women, accounts of God’s faithfulness through history, books on having a closer relationship with God, and doctrinal theses from scholars of Scripture. It is my goal that as I take the next step of reading these books that I would be increasing my faith, and in turn be able to share what I am learning here.

Stepping in Faith

What qualifies my steps to be steps of faith? Is it throwing aside all caution to the wind and acting on whatever impulse overcomes me? Is it having no purpose or plan and wandering wherever one wills? No, these do not describe the steps of faith, but instead the one who cares not about God’s plan for his life. This perhaps is a harsh thing to say, especially as I would tend to place myself in the latter category. However, I believe God would have each of us step out in faith to prove our dependence on Him. He will show the way and give light for each step…one at a time, though it may be.

Last month I had the opportunity to go to the Holy Land, to walk the places Jesus walked. While there I did more than just tour the different sites or go on a spiritual pilgrimage, although that was a significant part of the trip. One of the things that stood out to me most through my travels around Israel is God’s faithfulness to do what He says He will do. All the places we went to had prophesies tied to them, some even being fulfilled before my eyes (Isaiah 35:1-2). If God is able to fulfill prophesies from 3,000 years ago and even those made at the beginning of time, should I not be willing to step out in faith and do what He calls me to do?

Sometimes all it takes to step out is to hear the Master calling—yes, even beckoning my name. “Peter, if only you will come out to meet me. Never mind the wind and the waves; come out of the boat and draw near to Me.” Simon Peter, not one to let his thoughts get in the way of him doing or saying anything, just lived life as sincere as could be, showing all. In taking that first step of faith by climbing out of the boat, he left his “safe place” to walk to Jesus, the only true source of safety, setting an example for ages to come. However, in his moment of triumph, defying even the laws of nature, Peter faltered seeing the waves around him. How often do I come so close to doing great things for God yet stop short when I see the pressures piling up against me? To allow pressures in the form of fears of failure, worry, growing responsibilities, unspoken expectations, time pressures, or various and sundry other means prohibit my follow-through in the Master’s bidding is to sink into the waves when I was intended to rise above them. The good news is that Jesus was right there to pull Peter out of the sea and calm the storm, and He will come to my aid when I call out to Him in the midst of my trouble.

So how does one “get out of the boat” and make that first step of faith? I submit that first he must confess to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Proclaiming this is the foundation stone for being used by God. Like Simon Peter, be willing and prepared to do something out of the ordinary. He was the first one God called upon to preach the Word to the Gentiles, and while on mission, God used him to do many miracles and wonderful deeds. Let us each step out in faith and see what great things God has in store for us!