From Nobody to Somebody

Gen_6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Who was Noah? Was he a great man that everyone looked up to and revered? Noah was a "nobody" that was never heard about until the time that God is preparing to destroy the face of thee earth with a great flood. Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Was there something special about Noah? Why didn't God choose someone else to build the ark?

Let's Look at some other "nobodies".

Gen_12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Who was Abram? Was there something really special about him that God would call him out of all the people that were living at the time? Why didn't God call someone else out instead of Abram? There are many many others that have been called from being "nobody" to being somebody. The Bible illustrates one after another that shows us this.

Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Gideon, David, Solomon, were all "nobodies".

The disciples that Jesus called were "nobodies" also. Peter was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. James and John the sons of Zebedee. Philip and Bartholomew. Matthew and James the son of Alphaeus. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot. Twelve nobodies that have not been heard of before have been called out by Jesus.

These "nobodies" went on to do mighty works for the Lord in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They went so far not only as to spread the Gospel, but most of them also died in service for the Lord.

These are only a few of the "nobodies" mentioned in God's Word. There is one "nobody" that is mentioned very little but the work that he did was one of the greatest works that a man could be called to do.

Mat_27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Mar_15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Luk_23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Seems rather simple doesn't it. This man Simon had to carry the cross of Jesus. Doesn't look like much of a work on the surface does it. But think deeply about this. Was it only a cross of wood that Simon had to carry? Is this all we have to say about this man? Let's go back in time to the Old Testament for a bit.

Lev_4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Part of the blood of the sacrifice is put onto the horns of the altar. The horns of the Altar had a significant purpose. The blood was put on the horns of the Altar. The horns also held the sacrifice on the Altar to keep it from sliding off.

Now when Simon the Cyrenian carried the cross of Jesus he carried the Altar of the sacrifice. Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of the world and the nails were the horns of the Altar that held Him in place top keep Him from sliding off the Altar. Simon the Cyrenian went from being nobody to being somebody. Why was it Simon that had to carry the cross? Surely God could have called out anyone to do this small task. God chooses whom He will.

I once was a "nobody". Who has God called? God has called everyone to repentance.

2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Why don't you think about it? Meditate upon the fact that God has called you, a "nobody", to be somebody. I know that I have many faults, but I also know who I am in Christ. I used to be a "nobody", but now I am somebody in Jesus Christ. You have the opportunity right now to become somebody. Will you let this moment slip by? Will you let the devil talk you out of the greatest blessing anyone can receive? Jesus waits for you with arms open wide. He loves you so much that the nails weren't really needed to hold Him on the cross. His love for you held Him there.