May 2, 2024 – The Dollar Spot Devotions: The Disciples of Jesus – Minions or Ministers?

“One day as he was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—out in a boat fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.

 Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!”  And they left their nets at once and went with him. A little farther up the beach he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called to them to come too.  At once they stopped their work and, leaving their father behind, went with him.” Matthew 4:18-22

One of the first items I spot in the dollar area of my local big box store is a bin of “Minion” Bandages. If you know anything about me, you know that I am a big fan of minions, the ones from the movie “Despicable Me”. In fact, my all-time favorite is “Stuart the Minion” because he has one eye – the one-eyed minions are the best. These bandages are obviously marketed toward the younger population of Americans, but it would not be beneath me to put on a minion bandage, if I needed one.

Some people may think that the disciples of Jesus are just his minions, doing the bidding of Jesus as his dimwitted followers. Now, it is obvious that the disciples often have a difficult time understanding Jesus including his teachings. But they are not dimwitted minions and will prove how capable they are after the Day of Pentecost. Many of them were businessmen, hardworking and devoted men who gave up a lot to follow Jesus.  And when it comes to spreading the message of Jesus, they prove to be capable ministers for Jesus.  And most of them will be martyred for their faith and devotion. 

The most important lesson we learn from the disciples is that, even when they did not completely understand, and even when they asked the wrong questions or denied their allegiance to Jesus, he, Jesus, loved them despite their humanity. In fact, it is their humanity that sustains and encourages us current disciples to keep on spreading the Gospel — even when we do not fully understand and even when we make poor decisions – Jesus stills calls us to greater ministry – and loves us unconditionally.

Pastor Dave