The episode we watched last night included the part of Jesus' life when He called Simon the Zealot to follow Him. In the previous episode, we had watched Simon grow up and train to become a zealot with one mission - to honor and obey God by driving the Romans out of Israel. When he arrives at the campsite where Jesus and His disciples are staying, he is expecting to meet a group of fellow warriors preparing for the same calling as himself, but to his surprise, he meets normal, average-looking men, hardly warrior-looking types. As he and Jesus talk together, Jesus asks to see Simon's weapon. Simon displays his prize possession, a fine dagger with a seemingly articulately carved handle. He watches with a little pride as Jesus examines the tool and remarks on the fineness of it. Confident that Jesus will put him and his impressive weapon to full use, he is surprised and taken aback as he watches Jesus calmly toss the dagger into the lake. "You have no use for that?" Simon asks in surprise. He goes on to ask why, without his choice weapon, Jesus has any use for him. It was in his ability to fight and defend the Messiah that Simon had staked his worth upon; it was based on what he had for Jesus to use. Jesus responds with the beautiful truth "I have everything I need, but I wanted you." He goes on to explain that He is preparing something to share with the world and that for now, it would have to be enough for Simon to be at His side. No one buys their way into Jesus' group because of special skills. He wants only Simon. He wants only you. As I laid in bed last night and thought over this, and again this morning, I saw such a sweet and assuring truth. There are things that we have (talents, giftings, etc.) that we see of such value (the world may consider them so) and think that Jesus must feel the same way about them. It may make us feel more worthy to stand with Christ if we come with something to the table. This isn't what He desires. Anything that any one of us could bring to Jesus is but filthy rags to Him. It is enough that He wants me with Himself, you with Himself. Talented or not, a good speaker or not, an incredible voice or not, Jesus wants you, as you are, fully consecrated to Him for Him. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and because of faith in that sacrifice, we can stand clothed in Christ's righteousness. I am enough. You are enough to Jesus. He needs nothing else, only all that He made you to be, dedicated to Christ and for His glory alone.
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the bast things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31
