“Think about this for a moment: the twelve disciples of Jesus could not pass a background check to get into most churches today.”
That statement may sound shocking at first, but take a closer look at the men Jesus chose to change the world.
Peter was impulsive and publicly denied Christ three times.
James and John earned the nickname “Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery tempers and desire to call down judgment on people.
Matthew was a tax collector, viewed by many as a traitor and a sinner.
Thomas struggled with doubt.
Simon the Zealot was associated with a radical political movement.
And Judas would eventually betray Jesus.
If these men submitted applications to many modern churches, some would likely be rejected before ever making it through the front door.
Yet these are the very people Jesus chose.
Jesus did not build His ministry around people with perfect resumes. He built it around people whose lives would be transformed by grace.
The Gospel has never been about finding people who have it all together. It has always been about redeeming people who know they don’t.
Too often, we can be tempted to evaluate people based on their past failures, mistakes, addictions, broken relationships, or reputation. We forget that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future when Christ enters the story.
The church was never meant to be a museum displaying perfect people. It was meant to be a hospital where broken people encounter the healing power of Jesus.
Imagine if Jesus had looked at Peter’s denial before calling him. Imagine if He had focused on Thomas’ doubt instead of his potential. Imagine if He had rejected Matthew because of his profession.
The early church would have looked very different.
Thankfully, Jesus sees beyond our failures. He sees who we can become when His grace takes hold of our lives.
This doesn’t mean sin doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean character is unimportant. Transformation is real, and discipleship matters deeply. But we must remember that transformation is often a process, not an instant event.
The disciples were not finished products when Jesus called them. They were works in progress.
So are we.
So is everyone who will walk through your church doors.
The next time you encounter someone whose past makes you uncomfortable, remember the men Jesus chose. Remember that the kingdom of God has always been built by redeemed sinners who encountered extraordinary grace.
After all, if God can use fishermen, doubters, hotheads, tax collectors, and former rebels to turn the world upside down, He can certainly use us.
The church should never become a place where people are judged solely by where they have been. It should be a place where people discover who they can become through Jesus Christ.
Grace saw something in the disciples that the world could not see.
May we learn to see people the same way. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 