Given February 27, 2011

We all have been through or at least are aware of the school days process of choosing teams where two “captains” take turns picking team members from the pool of potential players.  Everyone there wants to be on a team and is saying, “Pick me, pick me!”, but invariably someone is the last to be picked because it’s perceived they aren’t very good.  Or a leader is choosing participants for an important mission and those interested are hoping to be chosen and are basically saying, “Please Boss, choose me.”  Some are picked and some are not.

What if Jesus were picking a team or choosing volunteers for a mission and you were there saying, “Pick me, pick me!”?  Well guess what…He is!  And there are qualifications for those who will be chosen.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;”.  He told a man in Judea who had asked what he needed to do to be “picked” and Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”. Matthew 19:21, (God’s Word translation).  This guy was not worthy and excluded himself because he valued his possessions more than the chance to be on Jesus’ team.  And in Luke 14: 15-23, Jesus told a parable of a banquet that had been prepared but some of the invitees made excuses for why they couldn’t attend.  Other things were more important. 

Do you want to join Jesus’ team?  Are you saying, “Pick me, pick me!”?  He’s looking for a few good men and women, boys and girls to help accomplish His mission here on this earth.  Are you already on the team?  Research would show that most are satisfied to sit in the stands, (the pew), watch, and cheer on the team but some don’t even do that.  They don’t even show up for tryouts or make excuses for why they can’t serve.  Anyone can be on Jesus’ team but you have to really want to.  How about you?  Jesus is looking for exuberent, jumping, raised-hand people shouting, “Pick me Jesus, pick me!”