LOOK BEYOND THE LOOKS

A question in a job application form says, "Can you say, in one word, what's your strongest attribute?"

The applicant wrote, ‘I’m very good at following instructions.’

We choose the "best" based on looks, credentials & our own personal biases.

But that’s not how God chooses. The Gospel today (Matthew 10:1-7) is about the 12 apostles that Jesus chose. They were not perfect, holy or flawless. Check out some of their shortcomings.

1. Peter is well known for denying Jesus 3 times after Christ was arrested. Read John 18:15 onwards. Loyalty is a good trait. Peter did not show any.
2. Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, expressed some prejudice about Nazareth when he said “can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Try posting a derogatory statement like that in Social Media today & wait for netizens to correct or even lambast you.
3. Matthew was a tax collector who was despised by a lot. His job was known for taking extra money from the people to pay off the Romans & to pad their own pockets. Don’t be a tax collector in Jesus' time if you want to win Mr. or Ms. Popular.
4. Thomas who was nicknamed “Doubting Thomas”. When the other disciples said that Jesus rose from the dead, he said “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25). He spent 3 years with Jesus but still doubted that Jesus can resurrect.
5. Judas Iscariot is known as The Traitor. He followed Jesus but later betrayed HIM for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). No words can describe the evil that Judas did to our Lord.

These are some of the men who Jesus gave authority & power (Matthew 10:1). These 12 men (Matthew 10:12) responded to HIS call. They were ordinary, uneducated & simple men of faith who gave up everything to be follow HIM. They were from rural areas, farmers & fisherman. They did not have amazing credentials.

When you look at their resume’ will you hire them to do such a daunting task? Maybe not.

But God follows a different criteria. Because God "does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

What’s the point of today’s Gospel?

GOD CAN USE YOU NO MATTER WHAT. Jesus will empower you. A popular phrase says “God doesn’t call the QUALIFIED. HE qualifies the CALLED.”

How can you be part of #TeamJesus?

BE HUMBLE. Remember that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

You may think that you are not competent. But God does. So see yourself as God sees you. All you have to do is to be HUMBLE, be OPEN to GOD's LOVE & OBEY. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com