Scripture
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19

Observation
What kind of people did Jesus notice while he walked the earth? It’s important to know, because too often we take notice of the wrong type of people. If his focus is our focus then we can do the works of Jesus better.

Here are those Jesus noticed.

1. People who don’t go to church. Those uncomfortable in a synagogue seemed to be his favorites. He didn’t make the assumption that those who don’t go to church are not interested in God. Instead he looked in the eyes of the 90 per cent of the population and found something of the God-spark in them. The disciples seemed to drift to the pharisees, but Jesus kept the focus on those who have not yet come. As he became more popular he fought himself out of the circle of adoration and directed more attention on them. They mattered much to him.

2. Little people with big faith. Not much impressed Jesus except faith. When he saw faith everything stopped. Great faith was the only thing that would bring surprise to his face.

3. Unassembled leaders. Jesus ignored the seminaries in favor of the business world. There he found leaders in the rough. He saw potential in others before they could see it in themselves. He cherished that potential and mined it out with great skill.

4. Those hungry from obedience. Hungry people brought the most out of Jesus. He spoke for 3 days to hungry people until they were starving. He called his family members those who hear the word of God and obey it. There was little patience in Jesus with those who were lazy and hungry. But give him a hardworking man, hungry from doing his will and his attention was aroused.

Who didn’t get special attention from Jesus? Anyone who was satisfied with themselves, resting on their achievements, who felt just that little bit better than others to be good enough for God. They did receive attention from Jesus, but not the kind we would like to receive.

Application
My leadership is limited by the people I notice or don’t notice. If I’m caught up in my own self-importance or pride in my cause, I only notice star players who can help me look good. We may shine, but Jesus will not be seen. But if I can get over myself enough to be enamored with Jesus, there is hope that I will notice his kind of people. There is something in church life that fights against noticing Jesus’ kind of people. It’s called “redemption lift”. Following Jesus improves my condition and so I forget from when I came. I must fight to get back to origins, so that I remain the kind of person Jesus would want to notice. Then there is home that I will be focused on Jesus’ friends.

Prayer
Father, everything in church life pulls me away from these beautiful people. We create church for folks like us. We are more impressed with credentials than with faith. We want ready-made leaders rather than the unassembled ones. We want a banquet hall without a work out room. Jesus save me from your followers lest we make a world that is comfortable for us. Just as you repeatedly pulled the disciples out of comfort zones, so keep me in a world where I can see things as you do. I choose today to value those you value. Just help me to get over myself. Amen.