Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted.

 

Friday, December 1, 2023


Psalm 74

2 Kings 25:8-21

Mark 3:7-19a


Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted.


Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him.


The Word of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, has come down from heaven and put on human flesh. He has descended from the unveiled majesty which He had from eternity past and, for a season, will veil His glory as He walks around as a man.


Now the King is calling His men to His side. The Captain is commissioning His officers. Jesus ascends the mountainside, a throne which He made as Creator, to set apart a group of people to go out and operate with His authority. These apostles heard the voice of their Shepherd, and they did not refuse: they came to Him.


This is how Jesus calls all those whom the Father has given Him. It is how He called you and me. Once we were part of that great mass of sinful humanity, but His eye spied us out, spoke our name, and we went to Him. We were never a philosopher sitting on his pile of books, researching and reflecting. Never so much a scientist either, experimenting and hypothesising on the nature and character of God. Mere people, human beings, going about our day, worrying about the next catch of fish were we, when the voice of the Almighty came down from the mountainside.


Jesus speaks and we obey. When Jesus calls someone with intent, we cannot say no – nor would we even want to! It is grace from top to bottom that Jesus’ insistent call, disturbing our settled lives, is irresistible.


We thank the Lord Jesus that He has called us; thanks upon thanks, eternal and joyful gratitude. And we praise the Lord Jesus that He does not let us say no, that He unveiled the glory of His majesty enough for us to see how wonderful He is. Jesus went up to the mountainside, called us, and we came to Him. Praise and thanksgiving are due our Lord, which we give to Him joyfully and with good cheer, world without end.


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