When we look at the original group of twelve disciples, and then when we look at the eventual replacement for Judas (Paul), we find that they all have a clearly identified tap on the shoulder. In some cases, we have stories of an individual calling as well as the twelve, as a group, being publicly picked, being clearly identified to themselves and others.

For example, Andrew and John were with John the Baptist who sent them over to Jesus. Jesus said, “what do you want” and they said, “Rabbi, where are you staying” and he said, “come and see” and they did (John 1).

They were The Twelve. Their calling gave them identity. It gave them status (though it turned out to be a servant status). It gave boundaries. It gave them purpose.

The twelve weren’t singled out for their great valor. King David had guys who were known as David’s mighty men; they were hand-picked because they were great warriors, because they had valiantly protected David (See 2 Samuel 23).

Jesus did not pick warriors. Matthew was a tax collector. Simon was an insurgent. James, Peter and John were fishermen. We have little clue about the others. Jesus didn’t pick them because of what they could do for him. Likely, he picked them because he knew that he could do something with them, and they could be committed to learn from him.

There were better scholars, more religious people, richer people, people with more influence that he could have picked. And there were, likely, a lot of other volunteers. But the people he picked were going to be trusted with the future of his discipling process and so he picked people he could work with, and worked on, no matter how dumb the choices appeared.

One last note: Matthew and Paul, in particular, hadn’t volunteered. Jesus recruited them. Matthew was a tax collector. Paul (recruited after the death and resurrection and beginning of the church) was a Christian killer. Both got an invite before they volunteered, rather than after they volunteered.

Maybe telling people that they are followers is an effective strategy.