Grace to the Least Renowned

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus began calling His disciples in chapter 1.  He called fishermen.  He didn’t call scholars or noblemen; He called fishermen.  In chapter 2 He again called a disciple.  This time it was a tax collector.  This man was on the bottom rung of Jewish society.  Jesus had not called a synagogue ruler as a disciple or a Sanhedrin ruler as a disciple; He had called a tax collector as a disciple.

Philip Bliss was a prolific hymn writer.  One of his many still well known hymns is “Whosoever Will”.  The calling of Jesus’ disciples reflects the truth of this song.  The first stanza of the song shouts out the joy to the common man that whosoever will may come. “Whosoever heareth, shout, shout the sound! Spread the blessed tidings all the world around; tell the joyful news wherever man is found, ‘Whosoever will may come’.” 

The grace of God in Christ is not exclusive.  Jesus called all people to Himself.  Some came and some did not.  He called a rich young ruler, but he loved his money too much and God too little and declined the invitation.  He stood before the Pharisees, a leading religious group of His day, and offered them the Kingdom.  They preferred their rules and laws and declined His invitation.  He stood before the Sanhedrin, the key religious rulers of Israel and declared that He was the Son of God and they condemned Him to death. They did not come when called.  He told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world and that He had come from God.  Pilate had Him crucified.  He did not accept the call.

Just because they didn’t accept the call doesn’t mean they weren’t invited.  God’s grace is as vast as His creation and as great as His love.  Therefore He can embrace and receive all who will come.  God’s grace sent His own Son to die for our sins.  With that death and resurrection of Christ comes the wonderful invitation.  “Whosoever will, whosoever will, send the proclamation over vale and hill; ‘tis a loving Father calls the wanderer home: Whosoever will may come.”  Rejoice in such great grace that gives such a wonderful invitation and make sure you have responded to His RSVP of grace with the affirmation of faith. 

                                              The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

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