Jesus
Others
Yourself
Acts 2:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke breadin their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "Please God . . . DON'T choose me! I'm not qualified!!!" Ever felt that way? Ever felt like God didn't know what He was doing - doesn't really know I'm "not all that" as He thinks I am?
Think about Mary - imagine this young girl whom God called to be the "God bearer" as the early church called her Theotokos - one who gives birth to God. IMAGINE!!! Only ONE person in all the world has ever been the "one who gives birth to God". But . . . who was she? Why did God choose her? Because He looks with favor on the lowly. He lifts them up, blesses the hungry while scattering the proud, bringing down the powerful and sending the rich away empty (Mary's Song - Luke 1:45-48, 51-53). It is believed (by Mary as well in her song) that God chose her BECAUSE she was not of noble birth. She was humble - she had a heart for God - and she was willing to offer herself wholly to Him. Throughout ancient history we see how God chooses the humble - the unlikely and . . . the lowly. He chose Abraham and Sarah - the elderly childless couple - to bring forth the chosen people. How about Moses? He chose him - a fugitive from the law (he had killed a man) - he stuttered and he was tending sheep when God called him to be the lawgiver and deliverer of Israel. Then there was David - a shepherd boy - the youngest of and scrawniest of Jesse's sons. He chose him to be Israel's greatest king. And . . . he chose Mary - a peasant girl in Nazareth - to bear the Messiah. Being humble was an important theme is Jesus' ministry - "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11). "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43). "The last will be first and the first shall be last" (Matthew 20:16) When Jesus chose His disciples he didn't select the seminary-trained (Pharisees) or those with doctorates in theology. Instead he chose fisherman, tax collectors and other unlikely candidates. HE taught THEM humility - by washing their feet at the Last Supper and then told them, "I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). Jesus told them, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45) As we remember His birth - Mary, a peasant girl, was chosen to bear the King of Kings. Jesus was born in a stable. The first people God invited to see the Christ were the night-shift shepherds. This story is a perfect picture for us to understand that we are to humble ourselves before God. So . . . we see these people AFTER their experience of being used by God but we need to remember who they were BEFORE God chose them. So . . . why is it that YOU think HE can't use you? Listen for His call. Respond to His call. Yes - it's okay to "feel" like He's made a mistake but trust me - He hasn't. He knows what He's doing. Allow Him to do it with you! |
CategoriesAuthorArchives
April 2018
|