Jesus and His Misfits

Jesus chose an unlikely group of people to follow Him and represent Him in the world.

When we think about the disciples, it is easy to imagine a group of exceptionally holy, gifted or impressive individuals. Yet the reality is quite different. They were ordinary people, full of flaws, weaknesses and contradictions.

Matthew, who wrote this Gospel, had been a tax collector, working for the Roman occupiers and almost certainly regarded as a cheat by many of his fellow Jews. Simon the Zealot was a political radical. James and John were fishermen with little formal education, yet they would become teachers of God’s kingdom. They were also the pair who argued about who would be greatest when Jesus came into His kingdom.

Philip initially struggled to believe that anything good could come out of Nazareth. Thomas has gone down in history as “Doubting Thomas” because he questioned the resurrection and was honest enough to admit his doubts. Some of the disciples were so quiet that we know almost nothing about them beyond their names.

Then there was Peter. Impulsive, outspoken and often speaking before he thought, he was repeatedly corrected by Jesus. Yet he would later become one of the leaders of the early Church. And, of course, there was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

These were the people Jesus chose.

Not religious leaders. Not scholars. Not the powerful or influential. Just a collection of ordinary men with strengths and weaknesses like everyone else.

In many ways they were a group of misfits.

Yet they were Jesus’ misfits.

Perhaps Jesus chose them because He saw something in them that others could not see. Perhaps He wanted to show that God works through ordinary people rather than human greatness. Whatever the reason, He called them, walked with them, taught them and eventually sent them out to continue His work.

The remarkable thing is that they succeeded.

Not because they were exceptionally talented, but because Jesus gave them what they needed.

The Gospel tells us that He gave them authority over unclean spirits and power to heal. In other words, He equipped them for the mission He had given them.

Their success was not based on their abilities but on God’s grace.

The same is true for us.

None of us are perfect. We all have flaws, weaknesses and insecurities. We all know the parts of ourselves that we wish were different. Yet Jesus still calls us.

Like those first disciples, we are invited to follow Him and learn from Him. In that sense we are disciples. But we are also apostles, people who are sent out into the world to share what we have received.

The world today still needs hope, healing and good news.

Jesus gives some practical guidance about how we are to carry out this mission.

First, He tells His followers to begin with the people they already know. Not everyone is called to travel to distant countries. Most of us are called to share God’s love with family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

There are people in your life whom I will never meet. There are conversations you can have that I can never have. The first mission field is often much closer to home than we imagine.

Second, Jesus tells us to proclaim the good news.

The good news is not simply that people are sinners. The good news is that God loves us.

Every human being is loved by God, whether they recognise it or not. Every person is precious in His sight. Despite our mistakes and failures, God loved us enough to send His Son so that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life.

That is genuinely good news.

In a world filled with anxiety, division and bad headlines, the Gospel remains the greatest story ever told.

Third, Jesus reminds His followers not to seek wealth, fame or recognition for themselves.

The message is not about us.

It is about Him.

Our task is not to make ourselves the centre of attention but to point people towards Christ.

Fourth, Jesus tells us not to be afraid.

Many of us worry that we do not know enough or will say the wrong thing. Yet Jesus promises to be with us.

We are not expected to be perfect speakers.

I grew up with a significant speech impediment. If someone had told me thirty years ago that I would one day be preaching regularly, I would never have believed them. Even now I still make mistakes and stumble over words.

Yet God works through imperfect people.

If we are willing to speak, He can use our efforts far more effectively than we imagine.

Finally, Jesus tells us to endure.

Do not give up.

Keep praying.

Keep sharing your faith.

Keep doing good.

Keep bringing hope and healing into your corner of the world.

There will be times when the results seem disappointing. There will be moments when people reject what you have to say. There will be days when you feel discouraged.

Keep going.

Jesus reminds us that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Every labourer is needed. Every disciple matters. Every misfit has a role to play.

God does not call perfect people.

He calls ordinary people and then equips them for extraordinary purposes.

The disciples were far from perfect, yet God used them to change the world.

The same God still calls people today.

Fishermen, tax collectors, doubters, politicians, teachers, labourers, retirees, students and all the rest of us.

The good news is too important to keep to ourselves.

The world needs hope as much as it ever has.

And so we are invited to join the mission, trusting that the God who called those first disciples will also work through us.

After all, we may be a collection of misfits, but we are God’s misfits.

Address given by Ian Rousell at St Nicholas Church Radstock on Sunday 14th June 2026