All In for Christ: Hearts and Hands

When the Savior called His apostles, he included no influential men: no scribes, pharisees, or members of Jewish ruling bodies or classes. In calling men to be His witnesses, apprentices, helpers, beloved friends, and eventually leaders for His church, He was concerned with their invisible, not their visible qualifications. Peter, Andrew, James, and John—the first four called—had been fishing all night without success. Exhausted and discouraged, they probably didn't look very good. But Jesus knew the purity of their hearts and the willingness (ignoring dirtiness) of their hands. When Jesus asked Peter to let Him teach from his boat, Peter agreed. Then He told the brother-partnerships of Peter/Andrew and James/John to put down their nets on the other side of their boats; "at [His] word" they did so. As today's Christians know well, the two boats were so full they began to sink. When He asked the four to stop catching fish, follow Him, and catch souls, they walked immediately away from their former lives, leaving the father of James and John to deal with all those fish.

Immediately Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all in for Jesus: their hearts and their hands were dedicated to Him. He added seven more to this calling, apostles who had hearts pure enough that he could one day wash their feet without reservation and hands willing enough to distribute bread to multitudes of thousands. They were all in. The 12th was not all in; he used his agency committing evil.

Common Hands, Uncommon Hearts

Christ called those who were "common" people. A few are prominently featured in the New Testament, some less so.

Recognized in Scripture

At least some had been prepared, as explained by oft-published author Allyson Holland, writing for the Crosswalk.Com Christian website. Peter and Andrew had followed John the Baptist, and Andrew first introduced Peter to Jesus. Both may have become "spiritual followers of Jesus" before the apostolic call. Andrew is not mentioned often in the scriptures; Ms. Holland explained, "He was not a dominant person next to his outspoken brother. Peter was "a gregarious, natural leader, and an obvious spokesperson for the twelve," but Andrew preached passionately and boldly, and he contributed significantly to development of the early church.

James and John were also dissimilar brothers. According to Ms. Holland, James was "rather quiet" and is rarely mentioned individually in the scriptures. John is mentioned a lot, but then he "wrote a large portion of the New Testament." James was included whenever Peter and John participated in anything; obviously he had all the gifts, powers, and responsibilities that they did. He just wasn't a talker/writer.

We know very little about Matthew's words and activities, except that he was a tax collector (publicly despised) and his call by Jesus must have shocked many people. His heart responded to "Follow Me!" as quickly as the first four fishermen: from the tax collector's booth, "he got up and followed Him" (Matthew 9:9). Matthew's hands changed from handling tax money to handling things of the kingdom. But they were willing.

Neglected in Records

The scriptures record almost nothing about Philip and Nathanael, except that Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, and Jesus praised Nathanael for having "no guile" (or deceit). Thomas (though famous for a moment of doubt) is quoted as saying during crowd confusion after the raising of Lazarus that regardless of possible of danger, the apostles should stay with Jesus. That these apostles brought humble, dedicated hearts is shown by their loyalty and obedience to the Savior. We don't know everything their hands did, but we know they were not counting money or signing documents.

Simon "the Zealot" is known only for his nickname; possibly he had once been an activist. But he was a dedicated follower of the gentle, loving Savior. "James the Less" has an unfortunate identifier, and "Judas son of James" also seems neglected scripturally. A faithful Judas is identified in scriptures as "not Iscariot."

Records not included in the New Testament and traditions from the vast and far-flung places in the world where they spent their ministry note that the apostles did demanding, heroic, and powerful work for the Savior, and they were martyred in His cause. They were all in.

Serviceable, Memorable

Serviceable is a useful word, comparable to useful, beneficial, dependable, and valuable. It is used in relation to religion also. Considering the apostles, would the prominent Peter and John have been more serviceable to the Savior than their more quiet, less spoken/written about brothers Andrew and James?

Howard W. Hunter, before his passing a world-acclaimed Christian leader, has spoken of individuals "who are not seen in the limelight or do not receive the attention of the world, yet are 'no less serviceable'" than those who are more conspicuous. He continued, "If you feel that much of what you do . . . does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly."

Is there anything wrong with being widely recognized, sought after, and applauded? Of course not. Christianity definitely has and still does absolutely need the bold, outspoken Peter, John, and Paul (among many others). They had to be prominent, well known, and eventually widely published because of the work God intended them to do. With the resources of today's world—technological and otherwise—many incredible Christian leaders send out their messages to worldwide audience. We are extremely grateful for opportunities we have to hear and read them.

But we also remember that those of Christ's apostles who we know less or even little about were also apostles. That their words and actions were not recorded and passed down does not mean they were less loved by and serviceable to the Lord. As long as one is all in for Christ—in heart and hand—that person is serviceable—publicly memorable, or not.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a current worldwide and highly acclaimed Christian leader, has taught,

The Savior loves all of God’s children regardless of their socioeconomic circumstance, race, religion, language, political orientation, nationality, or any other grouping. And so should we!

God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to those who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God’s children.

He continued by declaring that none of the ways we serve in Christ's kingdom—prominent or private—is "more important than another," noting that "our service—whether great or small—refines our spirits, opens the windows of heaven, and releases God’s blessings."

Equity at the 11th Hour

Some Christians are called to be famous, some to be unfamous (not infamous—which is something entirely different). Being unfamous does not mean we will have "the less" added to the name on our tombstone or genealogy records—only that people may have to look further to find us.

From Heart and Hand

Writing on the website Christianstudylibrary, William MacLeod wrote of motivation that applies to us enthusiastic unfamous Christians. He proclaimed that love is "the motive for serving others and doing good works" and that "Our own good works are simply an expression of our thankfulness and indebtedness to God."

Amanda Idleman, who publishes on several Christian websites, made some suggestions on Crosswalk for more personal Christian service. She urged readers to serve by "doing something we already love and are equipped to do." She wrote of her love for writing and desire to share it in serving others: both of us as 7-Day Christian authors share her passions and her suggestion.

Mrs. Idleman also suggested serving in a community context, mentioning First Corinthians 12 in which Paul reminds individuals that their "gifts are given to serve the common good." She advised, "It’s our job as a body of believers to be connected to one another, loving one another, and spurring each other on to do the good work that God has for us!" She assured us that the Holy Spirit will "give us the strength we need to do the things He has called us to do on a daily basis" (emphasis in original).

From the Vineyard

In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the landowner employed his first laborers at our equivalent of 6:00 a.m. and returned three times to employ more. Finally at the "11th hour" (5:00 p.m.), he brought in another group. An hour later wages were paid, and every man received the same amount. The 6:00 a.m. group and others considered this unfair; many today may agree.

International Christian leader, author, and speaker Jeffrey R. Holland spoke to this. He explained that those who had waited all day and were continually passed by were the most unfortunate of all. Families at this time were completely dependent on laborers' wages, and these individuals must have been frantic having nothing to buy necessities. In his love and compassion, the master provided what these 11th hour laborers so desperately needed.

Jeffrey Holland helped his readers and listeners understand: "We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed." Eleventh hour laborers may also become like their Savior.

He concluded,

Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. “Come boldly [to] the throne of grace” [Hebrews 4: 16], and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast “without money and without price” [Isaiah 55:1] at the table of the Lord.

From the first in the fields to those of the 11th hour, from the famous to the unfamous and everyone in between—Christ wants all of us all in—hearts, hands, love, energy and all we have to be given in His service.