Willing heart

When we think of great people from the Bible, we think of individuals like David, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Queen Esther, or Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus. But woven into the stories of each of these giants of faith are some names not quite so familiar to us, yet they are great men and women of faith, as well. These are lesser known figures in the Bible; people who, if they were characters in a movie, would be the “supporting actors” and have the “cameo” roles.

They are people who stand in the background of the main story line, people who are overshadowed by the more “featured” players in the Scriptural record. From God’s viewpoint, however, there really is no such thing as a “supporting character”; God has given a calling to every person and, regardless of how unimportant mankind might view that calling, God considers everyone who trusts in Him as a great person of faith. Some of these people are mentioned in no more than a single verse of Scripture. Some are not even mentioned by name. But God knows who they are and values their service to Him.

Luke 22:7-12 NIV

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

So, who was the person that hosted the Last Supper? We really do not know. All we know is that Jesus knew him and that he would follow the instructions that Peter and John gave him. The master of the house where the Lord and His disciples ate the Last Supper was a real individual. He was not just someone who Jesus selected at random; this was a particular man whom Jesus chose to serve God in this manner. It all seems so miraculous and mystical the way the Lord commands Peter and John to seek this man out, but it is likely that the owner of the house was someone who had offered the use of his home to the Lord beforehand.

I think that this man had probably heard Jesus speak at some point, or seen Him perform a miracle, and had quietly offered to serve Him in any way. Even Peter and John — the two closest disciples of the Lord Jesus — had no idea who this man was. There was no dramatic invitation to his home; no grand spectacle in offering the use of his guest room. I believe he had at one time just come to Jesus and said: Whatever I can do to serve you, just say the word. All that I have is Yours.

This is how we should live our lives; ready to serve the Lord. We do not need to be in a leadership position in our church, a Sunday school teacher, or any other position of leadership. The Lord only looks at our heart and how we can serve Him. No matter where you are in your life with God, HE is qualifying you for His service because you are called. He can help you overcome the mistakes you have made, and even use them to help others. Just allow Him to use you.

Romans 9: 14-18 (MSG)

Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, “I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.” Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, “I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power.” All we’re saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill.

Remember these people: “Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Abraham was old,… and Lazarus was dead.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the CALLED!”

What’s your excuse?