Chosen (Mark 3:13-19)

Mark 3:13-19

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve ^e that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶ These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. ^[1]

__________

Jesus’ calling of the twelve brings to mind my own calling.  In what sense has Jesus chosen me?  How is it similar or different from His calling of the twelve?

Regarding myself, there are two callings that come to mind.  Although being called as a pastor might first come to mind, especially in the context of the calling of the twelve, it is not the primary calling.

I am first called as a child of God, baptized and claimed by Him.  What does this mean?  What are some of the biblical parameters of this calling?  It means that I am a witness.  I am a servant. I am a royal priest.  I am part of a chosen people sent to proclaim Him to a world in darkness.  I am an ambassador of heaven, a citizen of the resurrection.  I am his beloved child.  I am a brother of Jesus.   I am a member of His body, and part of His bride.  I am a sheep of His flock, a branch in His vineyard, cared for and pruned to bear fruit.  I am a partner of the Gospel, and a partner in His mission.

I could go on and on and if I had more time this morning, I would list all the biblical references to these aspects of my calling.  And this is a calling I share with all Christians.

I am also a pastor, which means, according to Ephesians 4:11-16, that I am to lead and serve others to help them grow in living their calling as children of God.

So being called and chosen by God is not just a matter for pastors, teachers, and missionaries.  It is all of us.  And for those of us who have been designated a special role in the church, our primary calling still remains as a child of God.  For it is this calling which is most important.  For it is those so called that do the work of the Mission.

So I am praying for faithfulness to my calling, not just as a pastor, but primarily my calling as a child of God.

Lord Jesus, make me faithful in living the calling I have received from You, calling me as Your child and witness and servant.

What is the Word leading you to pray about today?

To subscribe to Abide Daily Devotion e-mail please click here

^[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mk 3:13–19). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.