When Jesus chooses people, He does not make mistakes. But what new global company would have chosen this group of men?  Fishermen without high school education, a corrupt civil servant, a religious bigot and the betrayer-in-waiting.  Jesus did not call them - or indeed you - because of the skills they could offer to His business.

Who is Jesus?  That is the question at the centre of Mark's Gospel, which is answered at the apex of the Gospel in Mark 8:27-29 - "You are the Messiah".  John's Gospel has the same objective, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31).     It is the question which the Gospels still pose to all who will take the trouble to read them.  

These verses are a puzzle, even a cause for anxiety, to some Christians.  As we get to know more of Christ we realise how far short we fall from His glorious standard (Romans 3:23).  Our tendency to fall into sin alarms us, and our difficulty in detaching ourselves from particular sins distresses us (Romans 7:21-23).  This increasing sense of unworthiness has led many believers to wonder if they have committed the unforgivable sin.  It is an important question which needs a confident answer.  

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Many possible interpretations can be invented to describe a scene.  Although the artist has constructed the image, it is the viewers who are in control of the meaning to them … through previous experiences and associations.  Many people think like that about faith.  They like to be able to construe mystical images and rituals in their own way so that they 'own' or feel comfortable with a philosophy which suits themselves.  Many take that route to avoid submitting to the Saviour, not caring that they will have no defence against God's wra