Called By Christ

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Luke 6:12–16
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Called By Christ
As the signs and miracles of Jesus began to spread to the people, many sought him out. He began to develop a following. And from these people who followed Jesus and became His disciples, that is, those who were students of the Christ, Jesus appoints a select few for His purposes.  Jesus chooses twelve men as His apostles, an office specifically appointed by Jesus for the early years of the Church. They were eventually tasked with preaching, healing, and casting out demons. All but John and Judas Iscariot would die martyrs’ deaths. It is not an idle thing to be called by Jesus. It has real and lasting consequences.  Today, Jesus continues to call people for various roles of service in the Church, depending on God’s order, our gifts, and the Church’s needs. There are no self-appointed offices in God’s Church. He calls people and extends His care by His gracious and good will. His call makes us apostles, heralds of His cross. We go forth in whatever vocation we find ourselves to tell the world of His grace. Inspired by Christ, we count all but loss and at the end stand with joy before Him, welcomed into our eternal home.