Jesus appointed twelve apostles. Did he really need to? As the Son of God, he surely could have just gone about his mission on his own, right?
In today’s culture we tend to idolize those who are strong solitary characters that appear to not need anyone else. People who take on the evils of the world with personal vengeance and revenge. They themselves can fix it, so they say. They alone can make things better and all things new.
Jesus called twelve apostles of varying backgrounds, personalities, and lived experiences so that we would see that it takes many valued perspectives to accomplish the work for which we are called. He even went so far as to include one who would betray him up to the bitter end. What a vast love for all humanity we see in Jesus!
I sometimes wonder how this wide array of talents and viewpoints played out among the apostles. How often they must have squabbled and bickered, debated and yelled at one another. We get a glimpse of it throughout the Scriptures (actually quite a bit of it), however I bet the arguments were relentless and must have been exhausting for Jesus.
I can picture Jesus equally exhausted with us today. All of us against someone or some “other” group people, failing to see and work for the bigger goals of the Everlasting Kingdom. Only seeing what’s in front of us and not the heart of the matter. Failing to see people as human beings beloved by an endlessly expansive God. Failing to see differing opinions as boundless opportunities for learning and growth.
Though exhausted, Jesus never gave up on his beloved disciples (and he doesn’t give up on us either). He believed fully in the benefits of divergent personalities working together. He sent them out together, requiring them to work across societal differences. (Mark 6:7-13) He preached the importance of love for others (all others) as being the mark of a true follower of his. (John 13:31-35; Matthew 45:43-48) He spent his life in the company of—and in communion with—those who greatly disagreed with one another. (Matthew 9:9-13)
Therefore, we who call ourselves followers of Jesus should strive to work with one another, truly loving those we disagree with, and relying on the views of others to gain a wider vision of the Gospel. It is only when working together that we can help to make all things truly new and bring about the Everlasting Kingdom that Jesus envisioned, where all are beloved.
Relevant Reformation 