The original twelve disciples Jesus chose lacked background, education, and vocational aptitude for the huge enterprise they would soon undertake!
Seminary, college professor, and writer Pastor Gene Getz, in a humorous email poking fun at the criteria people classically use to select leaders, writes this “assessment” of the men Jesus chose—as if they were applying for management positions:
- Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.
- Andrew has no qualities of leadership.
- The two brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee, place personal interests above company loyalty.
- Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.
- We feel it our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.
- James, the son of Alphaeus, and particularly Simon the Zealot have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.
- Thaddaeus is definitely sensitive, but he wants to make everyone happy.
- One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory. We wish you every success in your new venture.
[ From Rich Birch, Unreasonable Churches ]