| |
The Best Ever Traveling Team…
Jesus and the 12 Apostles |
| |
| |
| The Best Ever Traveling Team (BETT) didn’t travel together for very long. According to eye witness reports published in the Four Gospels the team surfaced approximately two thousand years ago. They remained a united force for good for about three years. This amazing group of men was hand-picked by their charismatic young coach named Jesus, who came out of nowhere ( Nazareth ) to lead them to the greatest victory mankind has ever known... Victory over sin and death. |
| |
| This was an unlikely team. A team who seemed ill-equipped to challenge anyone. There was a doubter, a denier and even a traitor among them. However, their weaknesses were no match for their extraordinary coach. He was no ordinary man. He was sent by God and the forces of evil in this world would not prevail against him. |
| |
| But it wasn’t easy. The captain of the team, a man named Simon, was a “diamond in the rough”. A fisherman whose name Jesus changed to Peter and who would become the “rock” upon which this team would succeed. However, he was an impulsive player and would need much training and support from Jesus before his full potential was realized. |
| |
| Peter’s brother Andrew was the first draft pick by Jesus for the team. He was an energetic man; always looking to bring new talent to the team. He was the one credited with recruiting Peter to BETT. |
| |
| Then there were the brothers James and John. They were nicknamed the “ Sons of Thunder” by Jesus for their loud and unrestrained support of the game plan. John was perceived to be the coach’s favorite but together they were a dynamic duo. |
| |
| Of course there was some confusion when the coach picked another man named James, but the problem was solved by calling him “lesser.” Amazing how these details have not been lost to us. |
| |
| Two other starters were Philip and Bartholomew who were best friends. They were straight forward men who liked telling things just like it is. But Bartholomew, who was also called Nathaniel, was no wild- eyed enthusiast. When called by Philip to come meet the Messiah (the coach) he was not impressed. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth” he challenged his friend. “Come and see” said Philip. Bartholomew went and saw and believed. |
| |
| Then there was Thaddeus, also known as Jude, who was impatient for Jesus to reveal himself to the world but who in the end came to understand that the Kingdom of God (Hall of Fame) was not of this world. |
| |
| Let’s not forget Thomas whose one moment of doubt over shadows his loving protection of Jesus during the grueling three year schedule. He was always concerned for his safety. |
| |
| Perhaps the member of the team with the most zeal was Simon. He had previous experience as a member of a sect known as the Zealots whose ambition and purpose it was to keep alive the patriotic spirit of the Jews. He was able in time to put his talents to good use spreading the good news of the kingdom of God. |
| |
| And now Matthew a player and writer popular today but when Jesus picked him for the team it caused an uproar. Many knew him as Levi and thought he was not good enough to be chosen. He was after all a tax collector who collaborated with the opposition, the hated Romans. But “coach” knew best and time would prove him right. |
| |
| At last we come to the choice of Judas Iscariot, a man of lost talent. Jesus gave him multiple opportunities to succeed but in the end he was not a team player. He was a hypocrite, liar and thief and he is immortalized as the greatest failure in human history. |
| |
| So there you have it. A team of ordinary men changed forever by their miraculous coach. The success of BETT has been legendary. Never before in the annals of history has a “team” achieved so much from such humble beginnings. Jesus kept the game plan simple, ”Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself”. His play book is called “ The Beatitudes.” The team took the message and went on the road. They traveled far and wide teaching, preaching and recruiting others to be “players”. Eleven All-Stars who gave all that they had so that we would have the opportunity to make the team. |
| |
| Jesus gives us all the opportunity to be team players. Our talents may put us on the first, second or third team. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we continue to practice and to improve. He promised he would be with us always, coaching, teaching and supporting us to the finals. Remember, Jesus was not interested in creating fans. He wants players. |
| |
| Bible-mates |
