A CHRISTIAN LOOKS AT MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
The little band of helpers (i) Jesus asks for help
Reading: Matthew 10:1-4
It is hardly possibly that Jesus couldn’t continue his ministry without human help. So it is much more likely that he sees after his death as the time when he will need help for his work is to continue, a time when men and women will be “God’s fellow workers,” (2Corinthians 6:1). However, there are three things we need to note about the little band of helpers Jesus had with him while he was on earth. (i) They were very ordinary people. The history of Christianity is not about an ordinary God who did wonderful things through extraordinary men and women. It is quite the reverse, it is about an extraordinary God who did things through very ordinary people. And you can only describe this very ordinary group as (ii) The rag-bag of the people of God. It is such an extraordinary mix, among them were people of no wealth, no education, no social standing, there were fishermen, a tax collector, an ardent nationalist, you couldn’t possibly have a greater mix of people. (iii) Then there were twelve. We are not sure why this number. It could be to reflect the twelve tribes in the old order, so now there are twelve apostles in the new Israel. Some sociologists say that twelve is the biggest number of people with whom we can have a meaningful relationship. One thing is clear, they were important. There are twelve foundation stones in the New Jerusalem, (Revelation 21:14).
Meditation: The “ordinariness” of the twelve tells me he can use anyone, even me.
Prayer pointer: Do I realize I am part of an amazing mix of people, the “rag bag” of the people of God?
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