(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday)
First, let’s look at the 12 guys Jesus chose to spend the most time with…
Peter was a hot-headed fisherman. He even denied knowing Jesus when the pressure got too much for him.
Matthew was a tax collector – from one of the most hated groups in society at that time (and this).
Thomas was full of doubts. He had to have proof that Jesus was who he claimed. (Jesus willingly complied with that request.)
James, son of Alphaeus – he was a guy we don’t know much about – except that he was a momma’s boy. (All three mentions in the Bible were in the same breath as the mentions of his mother.)
Don’t forget Judas. This guy skimmed profits from the community purse. Jesus even knew that he would betray him and send him to a horribly painful death.
Second, in Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” His followers wanted the kids to go away and just let the important grownups hang out with him. Jesus said no.
If you’re a parent, how often do you tell your kids to go away because you are too busy for them? I know I am guilty of that. Jesus was never too busy. If you are his child, remember that he wants you to come to him. Even if you’re not yet his child, he wants to let you know him. Understand that Jesus wants to spend time with you. Picture yourself as his child. He is calling you to come tell him about your day – all your joys and trials. He wants to hear about it. Take the time to pour out your heart. He won’t turn you away.
300 words a day 
Johanna Fenton
I’m am a child, a disciple, a servant, and a friend of Jesus. It’s helpful for me to remember the original 12 disciples and who they really were. Thanks Paul.
Also, just this week I had a new thought as I read Matthew 4:18-21, when Jesus called his first two disciples: Peter and Andrew.
The text says: “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore … he saw two brothers … and Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me'” (vv. 18-19, NLT).
I wondered for the first time if Jesus had been scoping them out for some time. Surely it would have been to his advantage to do so! But if I read the text plainly, it appears that Jesus had not carefully scoped them out. Of course he probably knew general traits of fisherman.
So I realized that Jesus, by his actions, is saying that anyone is worthy to be his disciple.
He doesn’t conduct background checks first …
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Johanna Fenton
Gee, I wish there was an edit button.
In the second to last line of what I just wrote, “worthy” is not the best word.
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paul merrill
Reminds me of that old hymn that was sung over and over at the end of Billy Graham crusades – “Just as I am, I come…”
I’m so thankful God loves us just as we are!!
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Mulch
Hey I was just browsing your website on my HTC Phone and I was thinking about how well it will work on the new ipad thats coming out. Fleeting thought…. Anyway thanks!
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cambogiafruit.com
Where are the similarities and differences of course common to despots is a qualifying campaign which began in March.
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