Outsider

Before Jesus performed any miracles, some of the apostles followed him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. - Mark 1:14-28

There had to be something special about Jesus.  Even before the brothers knew what he was capable of doing, they believed in him and they followed.  Why?

Perhaps they followed him because he was different.  He wasn't like all the rest.  He was an outsider.

He wasn't a fisherman like they were, nor was he a leader of the faith.  He was just different.

Sometimes, the one who comes from out of nowhere is the one who makes a difference in the world.  God works that way, doesn't he, taking those no one would expect and making them leaders.

So, what about us?  

We may think we are nobody special, and yet, who knows what we could accomplish?  We could be called to do amazing things.  God is capable of doing that in us and for us.

Consider that.  Something outside your normal life may be what you are called to be and do.

It's worth thinking about.

More to come...