Like all soon-to-be parents, when we were expecting our children we put a lot of time into thinking what name we would give them. It had to be a name that sounded good, went well with our surname, perhaps expressed something of our hopes and dreams. I don’t know what happens now, but in the hospital they were born in, your baby had to be given a name at birth, ‘baby Pamsperambulation’ wasn’t allowed. So we needed to be ready, there was no getting to know their little personality first. Our eldest we only had one boys name for, our youngest we had a choice of two, and stood in the delivery suite (well actually I lay, but you get the idea!) trying to decide which.
Names become important, they are our identifying feature. I am in the odd situation that there are three of us with the same name round here – we all go to the same doctors and two of us use the same dentist. I’m not used to this, having a relatively less common first name, and have to remember that they will want my address or date of birth too. Names are important, they are personal, they separate us from the crowd.
Jesus Chooses His Twelve Apostles
13Jesus decided to ask some of his disciples to go up on a mountain with him, and they went. 14Then he chose twelve of them to be his apostles, so that they could be with him. He also wanted to send them out to preach 15and to force out demons. 16Simon was one of the twelve, and Jesus named him Peter. 17There were also James and John, the two sons of Zebedee. Jesus called them Boanerges, which means “Thunderbolts.” 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus were also apostles. The others were Simon, known as the Eager One, 19and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.
Jesus calls twelve disciples. They are not just a random selection of you, you and you; they are people with lives, histories and personalities. Some are even given identifying features, so we are sure which one is meant. Each one is unique, and with their part to play in God’s future.
Jesus has come to begin God’s work. He needs people alongside him – without that it remains just a good idea
Jesus continues to call people to be part of the work he is doing.
Whatever our name, wherever we have come from, Jesus is calling us – me and you. Calling you to be part of his project of kingdom and renewal (Tom Wright, p 23).
Jesus is Calling to you – how will you respond?
Thank you Lord
that you see me,
that you call me
to share in your work.
Thank you that you continue to do a new work
and want me to be part of it.
As I hear you call my name,
I come to you
and offer myself
This year, I am again following the Big Read using Tom Wright’s Lent for Everyone – Mark. I’ll reflect here – if you’re following it too, or even if you’re not, please share with me.
Pam's Perambulation 