In Your Calling

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (ESV)

Jesus was surrounded by crowds—people eager to hear Him, gain His attention, or be healed. Yet, He chose to change the course of history with just a few devoted followers who would one day be ready to give their lives for their faith. He selected twelve disciples “to be with Him and to send them out to preach.” But who were these disciples? They weren’t top students in rabbinical school or residents of the holy city of Jerusalem. Instead, they were young, ordinary people with real issues, simple lives, and working every day jobs. Yet, in God’s hands, they became world-changers.

Simon Peter was impulsive and unpredictable, yet Jesus called him “Cephas”—”the rock”—on whom He would build His church (Matthew 16:18-19, John 1:42). Jesus entrusted him with the command to “feed My sheep” (John 21:15). Andrew, Peter’s brother, was not often mentioned but the one who brought Peter to Jesus (John 1:41) and pointed out the boy with five loaves and two fish, which Jesus multiplied to feed 5,000 people (John 6:8-9). James and John, sons of Zebedee, known as the ‘Sons of Thunder’ (Mark 3:17), were ready to call down fire from heaven on those who rejected Jesus (Luke 9:51-56), displaying a zeal sometimes at odds with Christ’s mercy. Philip was tested by Jesus in the feeding of the 5,000, failing to recognize the Lord beside him (John 6:5-7). Bartholomew, about whom little is written, was respected by Jesus for his sincerity (John 1:47). Thomas, remembered as “Doubting Thomas” (John 20:24-29), and Levi (Matthew), a tax collector—despised by his people—held a feast, inviting sinners to meet Jesus (Mark 2:13-17). Matthew would later write the Gospel of Matthew. James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus are less known but faithfully followed Jesus. Simon the Zealot, a former freedom fighter, and Judas Iscariot, who ultimately betrayed Jesus, completed the group.

Why did Jesus choose such individuals? By human standards, they seemed unlikely candidates. Yet Jesus called them and sent them out to the nations to become “fishers of men” (Luke 5:1-10). He invited them to observe His ministry and equipped them to do as He did —teaching, healing, casting out demons, and revealing God’s love. Jesus did not expect them to change the world by their own efforts.

There were many other faithful disciples through whom Jesus impacted the world. Today, God continues to use ordinary people for His extraordinary work. What matters is a heart willing to obey and follow Him.

The disciples gave up much to follow Jesus. Peter and Andrew abandoned their fishing nets, while James and John left behind their boat, their father, and their work. Following Jesus always comes with a cost. Lord calls us into a deep, transforming relationship with Him and then sends us on missions.

When Jesus invites us to follow Him, He draws us into a journey, making us more like Him. He came to seek and save the lost, anointed to proclaim good news to the poor (Luke 4:14-21). We have been chosen and sent to lead the lost to Him!

Each day brings incredible opportunities as people around us search for something to satisfy the emptiness. We must seize these moments with focus and complete obedience to Christ.

Consider Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector who eagerly climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus didn’t pass him by; He called Zacchaeus by name and visited his home. That changed Zacchaeus’ life forever, bringing salvation to his household (Luke 19:1-10). When we obey Christ, He reveals our true identity and purpose!

Jesus calls those whose spiritual condition fell short of “standards.” But God’s grace transforms us, like the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, into saints ready for His work. God sees all our weaknesses—pride, anger, lack of love, and more—He knows our true identity in Christ. He calls us justified and reconciled (Romans 5:9-10), forgiven, holy, and beloved (Colossians 2:13; 3:12), chosen and faithful (Revelation 17:14).

Jesus invites us on a lifelong journey, not a short sprint. The path is long, demanding, and sometimes painful. But He completed this race and promised to be with us every step on the way, empowering us to fulfill His commands.

“… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

“Lord, thank You for calling me into Your story. Thank You that I don’t have to be perfect, but willing. Help me let go of anything holding me back from following You wholeheartedly. Grant me the courage to step into my calling boldly, knowing You are with me every step of the way. Use my life, my story, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”