When I look at the disciples in the four gospels, I see four major things.  First is the way they got the call from Jesus. “Come follow ME”, or as I like to put it, “Come BE with ME”.  Jesus didn’t even say anything about who He was or what all He expected.  He just called for them to start following and being with Him.

The second thing I notice about them is that not one of them knew who He truly was, and not one of them knew where they were going (daily or where the destination of Jesus was).  They all totally had a wrong idea about who He was throughout the whole gospels.  They were waiting on Him to overthrow Roman rule of Israel, and they were all the opposite of Christ in their thoughts, words, and actions.  John wanted to call down fire and destroy a city for not accepting them.  They sent away a man who was casting out demons and preaching the gospel because he didn’t run with them and wasn’t one of their clique.  Peter cuts a guy’s ear off.  Peter was jealous of John, and they all wanted to be second in command in this new earthly kingdom that they thought Christ was going to form.  He didn’t exactly pick the most loving and righteous guys in town.

The third thing I see in them is that they all, with the exception of Judas, did legitimately love Jesus.  Even though they all fled, and only John went to the crucifixion, they all did really care greatly for Him. Jesus loved them and had great hope for them—always believing in them.

The fourth thing I realize is this:  If Jesus can take these 11 people and change them just by them being with Him and letting the Holy Spirit work in them, then there’s hope for you and me.  If we can follow Him long enough and not quit, then He will finish in us what He started.  If we continue to just be with Him and truly love Him, then there is hope for Him to change us, if we want Him to, and work for Him.  There is hope that we can be used of God to change our community of friends and co-workers.

God sees your love for Him, even when it’s small, weak and immature.  God loves you.  God can change you.  God can use you.  Follow Him.