Matthew 11:1-19 Messengers from John the Baptist

I am struck by the contrast between John's and Jesus' ministries. John's ministry was characterized by his asceticism (severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence). Christ's ministry was characterized by eating and drinking with  tax collectors and sinners. Yet neither of them were accepted by the people of their generation. 

Jesus compares the people of his generation to children in the marketplace calling their playmates. These children are manipulative. They want their playmates to fulfill their desires to dance or mourn at their whim; never satisfied with what they get. John the Baptist was accused of being demon possessed. Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. 

Nonetheless, Jesus and John have one thing in common. They were both called to fulfill a ministry according to the Scriptures. The qualifications that Christ gives to John's messengers are fulfillments of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the Messiah. And Christ pointed out to the people that John was also the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Elijah to come. Their identity and call are reassured. The criticism of the people doesn't matter. They both set out, against all odds, to minister to a generation reluctant to the Gospel.

Our generation is no different. It is a generation used to being served; to being catered. It is a "your way right away" generation. Unfortunately, this attitude has infiltrated into the church as well. But, ministry is not about catering to people's wants. It is about serving people's needs. And the greatest need of humanity is salvation. Ministry is not about style, but about substance. And the substance is the reality of acknowledging God's call to serve him in whatever capacity he desires.

Lord, reassure my heart in my salvation and calling to serve you. Don't let my heart sink when people criticize me. Give me the strength to stand firm with the conviction to serve you all the days of my life. May opposition and criticism never shake my commitment to serve you.

Matthew 10:1-4 The Twelve Apostles

Jesus put together one of the greatest, if not the greatest, team on earth. Their greatness can be measured in many ways. For one, they influenced the whole known world of their day with the Gospel. Also, their preaching, teaching, and writings have shaped the thoughts of many, many people around the world to this day and inspired the writing of many books. Last, but not least, their ministry in the supernatural with healing and exorcisms left the crowds in awe. Undoubtedly, this is a great team that has influenced the whole world since its inception to this day and will continue to touch lives throughout history until the end of days.

Interestingly enough, the members of the team are not extraordinary people, but ordinary citizens of their day. Among them we find fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters. Yet, they were all able to make a contribution for the expansion of the kingdom of God. None of them were in positions of power and influence, but were able to influence the masses with the Gospel message. In their beginnings, they were pretty insecure; afraid of what the authorities would do to them. Afterwards, they were willing to die for the proclamation of the Gospel.

What makes ordinary people into extraordinary team players for the kingdom? Jesus called them, gave them authority, and the apostles obeyed. It is essential that I have certainty that God has called me - not just to be a pastor, but to be a Christian. My calling as a Christian must be clear. Secondly, it is very important that I seize the authority given and use it appropriately. Authority is permission and power to do something. Just like the apostles, permission alone does not cut it; they needed power. I must live a Spirit-filled life to be empowered to do the work of the kingdom. Finally, I must obey. The call and the authority are worthless unless I am willing to act in obedience.

When I question my salvation and my call, I undermine the work of God in my own life and the life of those around me. When I doubt the God-given authority Jesus gives me to minister to others, I jeopardize my ability to be an instrument in God's hands to touch others. When I simply disobey God's call upon my life to be a witness to others, I miss the opportunity to see God do extraordinary things with my ordinary life.

Lord, grant me assurance in my call to serve you. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may seize the authority you have dispensed. And move my will to obey you day by day so that I may see you at work through me.

Matthew 4:18-25 Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Jesus begins his ministry calling specific people to follow him. The purpose of the following is clear: to become fishers of men. I'm sure he used that image to connect with the disciples since they were fishermen. The reaction to the call was complete abandonment of the current lifestyle to embrace a new one. Literally, they dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus.

All believers are called to follow Jesus. All Christians are to drop their past lifestyle and embrace a new one. We are all called for the purpose of becoming fishers of men. We can't follow Jesus while holding on to the past life. We need to let go of our past life, especially anything that hinders our walk with God. We may not have to resign our jobs to follow Jesus, but what if we have to? Are we willing?

Of course, there is a call to follow Jesus in ministry. It is to heed the call to devote our mind, heart, spirit and soul to the cause of the Gospel.  It was very hard for me to accept that I had to resign my full-time job to become a Pastor. It took some time, but the Lord convinced me that if I was to serve him in this capacity I had to let go of the past lifestyle and dedicate myself to him and his kingdom. Many people wrestle with the call because of the cost.

The focus of a ministry can be lost so easily. The Lord is clear in his call that it is for the purpose to make them fishers of men. Am I becoming a better fishermen for the kingdom? There are so many needs in this world, that one can be engulfed by those needs and forget the true purpose of the calling. It is to become fishers of men.

Lord, help me heed your call day by day. To continue to count the cost and gladly follow you. May I never lose sight of the purpose of my calling. Make me a better fishermen for the kingdom day by day.