Diverse Community

March 4

(Luke 6:13-16 NIV) “When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: {14} Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, {15} Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, {16} Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

(Acts 6:1-7 NIV) “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. {2} So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. {3} Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them {4} and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." {5} This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. {6} They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. {7} So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Christianity began as a diverse group effort, lived out in community. Andrew, Peter, James, and John, were common fishermen. Matthew was a Roman tax collector, hated among the Jews. Simon was a political zealot, who would have had no problem cutting Matthew’s throat for being a traitor to Israel. Today he would have been called a terrorist. Bartholomew was the “good boy” of whom Jesus said, “in him there is nothing false.” Contrast that with Judas, in whom almost everything was false. And then there was Thomas, the skeptic… a practical, “show me the money” type of guy… not a good candidate for a faith project. Based on qualifications, this was probably not the best team to select if setting out to change the world. But this mixed bag of common people became the most prolific group of disciple-makers ever assembled. When done right, Christianity still does this today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day