Say "March Madness" and everyone knows what you're talking about. The NCAA Basketball Championship fills the minds of fans and the sports channels on TV. Say "Super Bowl" or "World Series" and a whole host of images come to mind.
Whether college or pro ball, every tournament singles out one or two teams that are dubbed a Cinderella team. Some have unexpected, unlooked-for strings of victories; some go beyond their individual abilities to teamwork; and suddenly, a team destined for the dumpster is sitting on top.
We love these Cinderella teams. They make us feel like the little guy can still win, that the richest and the biggest don't always get their own way in the world. Even if it's a team from a school we've never heard of, or one of those new pro franchises we can't quite locate geographically, suddenly the Cinderella team becomes the team to cheer for, to hope for, to invest in.
If ever there was a Cinderella team in history, it had to be the Jesus team known as The Twelve. From the moment of their selection, this awkward group showed few if any signs of any regularized community life. They never appear to grasp any coherent vision, understanding, outlook, or expectations. In fact the community of the disciples is so fragmented that they experience the death of their own communal identity at the cross of Jesus' crucifixion. It isn't until Jesus is resurrected that any semblance of a disciple community is once again formed.
The first chapter of Acts introduces the reader to this new infant community, as it first attempts to regain its feet. But it isn't until the Pentecost experience – not until the disciples receive the gifts of the Spirit – that The Twelve are once again able to stand together and take its first steps into the future. Pentecost solidified the disciples into one Dream Team that changed the world.
"But Peter, standing with the eleven . . . " So who were these "eleven plus Peter," or the ones Jesus, as well as others, simplified as The Twelve (Matthew 10:2, 5; 20:17; 26:14, 20)?
In order of appearance, they come in three groups:
First group: Two sets of brothers: Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John. This was the inner circle of Jesus' disciples – his closest friends.
Second group: Philip, Nathaniel, Thomas, Matthew.
Third group: James, Thaddaeus, Simon the zealot, Judas the traitor.
These disciples were extremely diverse, even to the point of bringing together opposites. Matthew, the man of strong conviction, balances the doubting Thomas. The most extreme edges of Jesus' day were occupied by zealots. And what did zealots do? They killed Roman soldiers and Jewish collaborators. Who were number one collaborators? Tax collectors. So Jesus included in his team Simon the zealot and Matthew the tax collector.
This isn't to say they had nothing in common. They were all Jews. There were no Roman citizens like Paul. They were all of the same class. They were all lay people. None of them were priests. None were lazy. All were in some way weak and took their problems to the master. But it was their very differences that made them so effective as witnesses to Jesus. Some as evangelists (Andrew, James the Less, Nathaniel), some as apostles and prophets (John, Judas – later supplanted by Paul, Peter), some as pastor teachers (James, Thomas, Philip), and some as deacons or administrators (Matthew, Thaddaeus, Simon).
Does anyone here know the names by heart of these 12 disciples? I learned their names through a song. It went like this:
"There were 12 disciples, Jesus called to help him, Simon Peter, Andrew, James his brother John, Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew."
The song then ended: "Jesus calls you, too. Jesus calls you, too."
Anyone else remember The Twelve any other way? What about their personality characteristics? Do you have friends or relatives who remind you of one of The Twelve?
A friend of mine, Judge Jesse B. Caldwell III of North Carolina superior Court, believes that in America at least you can tell a lot about a person by what they drive.
Anyone want to disagree with him?
With the aid of cosmetics, Tommy Hilfiger, plastic surgery, and Ronald McDonald, we're looking more and more alike. In contrast, more people are asserting their identity and claiming their uniqueness by the kinds of cars they drive. Psychologist James Hillman writes that, "As humans become faceless under their blown-dry hair and cosmetics, cars pick up more distinctive names and fronts, those personalized expressions by which even small children can at once discern the make and model" ("Perambulate to Paradise," Utne Reader; originally published in Resurgence).
In 2000, U.S. Americans will spend a half-trillion dollars on cars. We'll spend an average of $24,000 to drive one of the 16 million new cars expected to be sold this year – a rate of about one every two seconds. But car sales have become more than matters of commerce. They're now matters of social, cultural, and personal identity.
I think Caldwell's right: We are what we drive. Sixty-eight percent of us talk to our cars (Jennifer Lach, "Road Rules," American Demographics).
More and more of us are personalizing our cars, perhaps not to the extreme of Elvis – who gold-plated his dashboards, or Liberace – who arranged for rhinestone-encrusted paint jobs and candelabra parking lights.
But as Alison Stein Wellner observes, the car has become "a nonhuman member of the family, more costly than a pet, less expensive than a child. The one part of the American Dream that actually moves" ("Who Is In The House?" American Demographics).
If The Twelve were alive today, the assumption is their personalities would be reflected in their choice of automobiles. There's a Web site where you give them your personality characteristics, and they'll select a car for you that embodies your personality. So let's give it a try. You tell me what you think of when I give you the name of a disciple, and let's see what kind of car you'd pick.
(Say names and listen to responses) Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Nathaniel, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas.
Caldwell and I did our own picking. Let's contrast what you and the computer chose with what Caldwell and I selected. First the assumptions behind our selections:
1) Our pick of cars is based on the premise that money is no object. We explored their personalities, values, and character traits as revealed in or deduced from the Scriptures.
2) The motor matches are an attempt to sharpen the disciples' personality profiles into categories and images postmoderns understand. We were very loose in our considerations about what points in their lives the disciples may have chosen these vehicles. As we shall see, their priorities changed after they followed Jesus. After the resurrection and the Great Commission, they all might have driven buses to "bring in the sheep."
1. Simon Peter ("Bubba, the Rock"): Chevy truck, most likely an S-10 Extended Cab, 4x4 with lots of extras. Simon Peter was arguably the most interesting of the apostles: impulsive, passionate, eager, courageous, outspoken, a man of the earth. At the same time, he was "blundering, clumsy, inappropriate, irrelevant, lacking the finer spiritual instincts" and capable of extreme fright. Quick to ask for forgiveness and quick to sin. He had the capacity to be in the same day "brave and cowardly, wise and foolish, accepting and rejecting, fearless and fearful, a man of doubt and a man of faith." He talked before he thought; not satisfied by mere talk, he required action. Devoted to Jesus, even though he denied him. His presence among the disciples illustrates what God can do with the ordinary man because Peter overcame his many weaknesses. Impetuous and sanguine, practical and realistic, but also hopeful, prompt, independent, and bold.
Our first pick was a Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4. But there are more Ford and Chevy trucks than any other, and more Christians probably identify with this impetuous, passionate, outspoken, blundering apostle more than any other disciple.
2. Andrew: Dodge Grand Caravan This disciple represents the missionary spirit. He was always bringing people to Jesus, starting with his brother.
Andrew figures prominently in only three gospel stories: (1) his calling; (2) the feeding of the multitudes; and (3) the visit of the Greeks to Jerusalem. Each story reveals something about his character. When he was called by Jesus, Andrew immediately got his brother. Similarly, when the Greeks wanted to meet Jesus, Andrew realized the significance of spreading the Word beyond Judea. In the feeding of the multitudes, Andrew didn't think that the food could feed everyone, but he thought that some could be fed and he wanted the opportunity to provide for those few. Simple, practical, faithful, and affectionate, Andrew is the sort of church member pastors dream of and pray for – the servant's heart that will get the job done without demanding credit. In all probability, Andrew spent the later years of his life as a missionary and teacher, and was martyred at the hands of Aegeates.
By the way, Andrew's Caravan has over 100,000 miles on it, being worn out hauling hungry and hurting people to the grocery store, doctor's offices, and church.
3. James, son of Zebedee: Porsche James isn't a son of the earth like Peter, but a man of ideals who tended to forget the individual in pursuit of the ideal. A leader among the apostles and favored by Christ, James was often consumed by the unholy ambition to be Jesus' favorite disciple (perhaps mirroring his desire to be his wealthy father's favorite).
A disciple full of zeal and enthusiasm, James serves as a counterpoint to John. His angry temper flared out at the Samaritans who wouldn't accept Jesus and was rebuked when he asked his Master to call down fire from heaven upon their heads. James died young at the hands of Herod.
James is one who knows what he wants (or at least thinks he knows what he wants), a man who resists the efforts of others to steer him toward something else. James would have been drawn to a fast, flashy, classy car.
As Caldwell puts it, "You can hear the two 'Sons of Thunder' revving up their motors as they race up and down the road in search of spiritually depleted vehicles."
4. John: 1965 Mustang The "beloved disciple" was The Twelve's resident dreamer. A quiet, soft spoken, shadowy figure, John was probably only in his late teens when Jesus called him to discipleship. Intellectual but intuitive, usually the onlooker, John was roused to speak out against the man who cast out demons in the name of Jesus and was rebuked for his outburst. He saw and believed the resurrection.
John would've picked a small sports car, less flashy than a Porsche. A young dreamer in his late teens would prefer a car of another era, which young, idealistic dreamers of that era would have loved. Hence the 1965 Mustang, a classic car, one known to all generations, a vehicle that transcends trends but makes a statement about the timeless yet timely dreams of what is good, true, and just.
5. Philip: Ford Taurus The quintessential business executive type, Philip was common-sensical, practical, and calculating. In the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, Philip is the one who calculates the amount of money needed to buy the bread necessary to feed the people and declares the feat impossible. Philip moves more easily in the realm of fact and figures than in the spiritual realms of faith and the imagination.
Philip is Andrew's foil, showing how Andrew's practicality when taken to an extreme can serve as a limitation. When called by Jesus, Philip immediately finds his friend Nathaniel, and talks him into meeting Jesus, using common sense. Philip's "let's-get-down-to-business," nuts-and-bolts mentality often lacked the vision of Christ's power and purpose.
Philip would have selected a well-known, well-established, well-respected (i.e. good track record) sedan. It wouldn't have a flashy color. Philip would prefer a subdued color like champagne, but the name would be too racy for him.
Philip's wheels? Taurus.
6. Bartholomew or Nathaniel: Toyota Camry Not much is known of Nathaniel, except in connection with Philip. He serves to balance Philip's practicality, and gives off the odor of an intellectual – quiet, strong, introverted, nervous, and meditative. As a scholar, he knew the prophetic texts well, thus his first remark on hearing of Jesus – nothing good can come out of Nazareth because the town was never mentioned in the old texts. Jesus gave him the proof he needed by sending the vision.
Bartholomew is the all-around good guy. Popular, durable, smart, and unpretentious, he doesn't need to prove his masculinity, or anything else. Comfortable with who he is, he wants everyone to be comfortable with who they are, and be comfortable in all they can be in Jesus. Bartholomew is the guy who is most likely to loan you his car when yours is in the shop.
He would drive the most stolen car in America – the Toyota Camry.
7. Thomas Didymus: VW Beetle Of all the disciples, Thomas was the 20th century apostle. Although periods past have castigated Thomas as the doubter, the modern world understands the demands of his rational, logical, and linear mind. In fact, Thomas gives hope to all those who live their lives without ever seeing a vision, and to all those with a skeptical bent. Jesus honored and proved himself to the most scientific of minds.
Just as his name "Didymus" suggests, Thomas has a twin nature. A doubtful, penetrating, and skeptic mind on the one hand, Thomas boasts a simple, loving heart on the other. When Jesus makes the decision to visit Lazarus – even though it may mean his death – Thomas' heart rejoins "Let us also go that we may die with him!" It was Thomas' conflicting nature that led to his outburst in the upper room prior to Jesus' death. As the Master explains that he's going to a place where they can't follow but of which they know the way, Thomas responds in anger that he can't possibly know the way if he can't go there. Thomas' reaction shows his conflict: He wants to go with Jesus; therefore his disappointment ultimately leads to his outburst.
The VW "bug" would appeal to both of Thomas' twin natures: his scientific, engineering mind and his simple, loving heart. The bug is an endearing little car, easy to love, and easy to forgive. What you see is what you get. People who own them are sentimental and nostalgic about them. They're models of engineering excellence and design simplicity: easy to park, low maintenance, good in snow without snow tires (engine in rear), fuel efficient, and easy to handle.
8. Matthew: Lexus Matthew, the sinner/tax collector, finally chose to follow Jesus, the Teacher. His sins included caring more about money than honor. The publican class was the lowest in Judea. Matthew was devout and humble, especially about his disreputable and greedy past. He would be the disciple most likely to trade in his pre-Jesus car for a simpler, plainer model.
Owning an expensive car, but not gaudy or flashy, Matthew would have sought to compensate for his miserable reputation with a Lexus.
9. Simon the Zealot: pre-owned Jeep Wrangler Simon was the hot-headed guerilla patriot who wanted to deliver Judea from Roman rule. Dedicated to overthrowing the Roman occupation, Simon was utterly opposed to Matthew and his type before they became disciples. Fiercely loyal, courageous, and probably frequently misunderstood, he must have had to learn the ways of peace and nonviolence from Jesus, confident in the reality of truth and goodness and the triumph of peaceful forces in the end.
Simon would have driven an early version of the Jeep Wranger, in combat colors, of course.
10. James, son of Alphaeus: used Chevy Impala No stories or descriptions remain in the gospels about James. He presided over the first Council at Jerusalem held to hear Paul's protest against requiring converts to be circumcised. He appeared to have a mixed temperament – legal, impetuous, and sanguine, yet impressed by Paul's fiery arguments. James is the kind of person who knows the answer but doesn't raise his hand.
James would drive a beater: an older model Chevy Impala, neutral colored.
11. Thaddaeus: Buick LeSabre or Honda Accord A man of simple mind and simple courage, Thaddaeus had trouble seeing past the physical presence and reality of Jesus. He was the questioner in the upper room, curious of the outcome of the days to follow. His questions portray one who doesn't fully understand what Jesus was doing but trusted him anyway. This disciple probably hung out with James, the Son of Alphaeus (they are paired together several times in Scriptures).
Thaddaeus drives a vehicle that doesn't stand out, but blends into the crowd. Just as we can't quite pin his name down, we can't pin his car down either. Since blue and gray are the most common colors out there, we choose a blue Buick LeSabre or a gray Honda Accord.
12. Judas Iscariot: DeLorean Judas is probably the most innately gifted and talented of all the disciples. He was a patriot who wanted to see the Roman government overthrown and the people of Israel liberated from the oppression and injustice. Bitterly disappointed when Jesus shunned this scenario, Judas' rejection made him susceptible to the blandishments of power and authority and open to blundering into betrayal.
Judas would've chosen a sleek and smart street machine, an auto fitting an inordinately ambitious man. The name Judas Iscariot like the name DeLorean immediately brings to mind some criminal connotations. Judas died and the DeLorean died, never to be manufactured again. The DeLorean (like Judas) never fulfilled its tremendous promise. "A man with noble qualities which were overcome by his greed" describes both Judas Iscariot and John DeLorean, who invented the DeLorean. Despite his criminal conduct, DeLorean was acquitted on his drug charges on the defense of entrapment, and some similarly acquit Judas of his evil conduct on the basis of prophecy, providence, or predestination. Judas would be attracted to a DeLorean for the same mysterious reasons why he couldn't articulate why he betrayed Jesus.
Judas Iscariot sits in the driver's seat of a DeLorean.
Conclusion: Two Possible Endings
Ending One: Focusing on Jesus.
What would he drive? Nothing. He was always borrowing others' vehicles (donkeys and so on.). He'd just borrow whatever vehicle he needed for his mission.
If Jesus were here today, he would borrow your car. Whatever it is you drive, Jesus would ask if he could use it for his mission.
Will you give Jesus your vehicle?
Will you give Jesus your life? Will you put him in the driver's seat?
Jesus relativized everything else.
The disciples were busy pursuing their own dreams. The Sea of Galilee Fishing Fleet Dream. The Rebel Dream. The Silent Millionaire Dream.
But once they met Jesus, all their dreams – whether it was the Sea of Galilee Dream or the Great American Dream – were rendered inconsequential by the Jesus Dream of the kingdom of God.
Will you become part of the Jesus Team and the Jesus Dream? Will you put Jesus in the driver's seat of your life?
Ending Two: Focusing on the Twelve.
Their group identity derived from their relationship to Jesus, and him alone. Yet The Twelve, more often than not, didn't get it.
They lacked understanding (Mark 4:10-13; Luke 8:9-10). "Do you not yet understand?" Jesus asked in frustration (Mark 8:14-21).
They lacked faith (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). They fought with one another over who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-37).
They lacked loyalty. When he needed them the most (Peter, James, and John), and asked them to stay awake and keep watch for him, they fell asleep (Mark 14:32-34).
One of them betrayed him. One of them denied him. All of them deserted him. (Matthew 26:56)
But after Pentecost the negative of disciple-divisiveness is transformed into the positive of disciple-diversity. At Pentecost diversity is celebrated and welcomed into a new all-inclusive communal moment. Instead of wisely seeking out those with similar cultures, languages, experiences, and attitudes, the Holy Spirit intentionally appears as the One and Only who can create a single community out of the multiplicity that is humanity.
Diversity and dissimilarity is the hallmark of the Pentecost community. The dissimilar/diverse disciples thus are now a strength, not a weakness, for leading the witness of the Holy Spirit into the world. A community founded in the Spirit is unified by that one experience, even as its diversities remain intact.