Why did Jesus choose men who were so different from each other to be His disciples? Was He expecting to have a fight on His hands because of these differences? No, He wanted men who could complement each other. What one man lacked, another supplied.

Jesus intended to build His church with these men being the pillars of that church. (Eph. 2:19-22; Gal. 2:9)

Our physical bodies have a head and many different members with different functions, and the church is similarly designed. (Eph. 1:22-23); Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-26) The church has many functions, as we saw in Romans 12:4, so that there will be "no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (1 Cor. 12:25)

Such a design might sound difficult. Wouldn't it seem logical that divisions would be caused by so many differences? No, on the contrary. Trouble would come with a capital "T" if we were all the same. We would be in constant competition with each other.

In our physical bodies, our big toe is not trying to perform the function of the heart. The heart is not trying to perform the do the job of the eyes. They are different and perform different jobs; but in that diversity there is unity. The same unity is to happen in the body of Christ. Each member lives to help other members, filling in where they lack. In that way, each member is able to make his contribution while the fellowship and sharing that strengthens each Christian is also possible.

As we consider the lives of Jesus' twelve disciples, we can see the unity amid diversity. (See Mark 3:16-19 for list of the twelve.) Although they were all from Galilee (Acts 1:11, 2:7), they were not alike in background and temperament. At least four of them were fishermen--Andrew, Peter, James and John (Matthew 4:18-22). One was a political revolutionary--Simon, the Zealot. Another was a political bureaucrat when Jesus chose him--Matthew. One evidently had a background in finances since he was chosen to be the treasurer of the group--Judas Ischariot; while another seemed to be somewhat overcome by financial considerations--Philip (John 6:4). One was quick to jump to conclusions--Peter, while another was slower to make decisions--Thomas. One seemed to be more socially liberal than the others, for he brought non-Jews to Jesus--Philip. Two of the disciples had terrible tempers, and Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). Some were up-front, public-type leaders while others were so much in the background that we know little about them.

Jesus did not select these men because they were perfect specimens of humanity, or spiritual giants. They were immature; they needed a change. They needed to grow under Jesus' leadership.

Jesus did not see perfection, but He did see potential in them. As we seek to bring in other disciples, we should also look for the potential in people. We must look beyond what a person is to see what that person can become. No person should be cemented into his present character and conduct. We should look for "moldability." Is that person open to change? Is he teachable and pliable?

For a person to be willing to become a disciple means he (or she) is willing to become different--different from what he has presently been. Changing is exciting, but it can also be threatening and painful. It is certainly costly, for a person must deny himself so he can become like Christ. To be unwilling to change is to say we have already arrived. A person does not begin the role of discipleship with the idea, "I'm O.K.; You're OK, Jesus." We are in no way able to place ourselves alongside Jesus as equals. Instead, we are to feel, "You're O.K., Jesus, but I'm not; so I repent." Then, we are able to walk behind Jesus and follow His example. Only in that way will we be able to change into Jesus' likeness.

Mark 3