If you have ever felt out of reach, like you’re too much of a mess and you’ve gone too far to truly be loved, I’d like to introduce you to 12 special people:

Simon Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew (Levi), Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James, or Lebbaeus), Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

These are the 12 disciples, the ones that Jesus specifically chose. In John 6:70, Jesus says, “Did I not choose you, the twelve?”

Just a few verses earlier in John 6:66, many others chose to walk away from Jesus but the 12 remained. The 12 were the ones with commitment and desire to follow and learn from Him.

Simon Peter

The bold fisherman with a big heart for Jesus and a habit of speaking before thinking. I lovingly call him Pick-Me Peter. He just has the energy of always trying to do the most and get the most recognition (this is probably why I relate to him so much). Jesus called him “the rock,” and he became a key leader in the early church after Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 4:18-20, John 1:42, Matthew 16:18, John 6:70).

Andrew

Peter’s brother and fellow fisherman, known for his humble, behind-the-scenes approach. He was always bringing people to Jesus, including his own brother (Matthew 4:18-20, John 1:40-42, Mark 3:13-14).

James (son of Zebedee)

Another fisherman, part of Jesus’ inner circle and the “Sons of Thunder” duo with his brother John. Passionate and a bit intense, he became the first disciple martyred for his faith (Matthew 4:21-22, Mark 3:17, Luke 6:13, Acts 12:1-2).

John

James’ brother, known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John had a deep, loyal relationship with Jesus, which shows up in his writings that center on love and truth (Matthew 4:21-22, John 13:23, John 19:26-27, John 15:16).

Philip

A practical, detail-oriented guy who wanted to make sure things were clear. He was the one who didn’t see how anyone could feed all of those people after Jesus preached. Yet Philip was one of the first to follow Jesus and was eager to bring others, like Nathanael, along (John 1:43-45, John 6:5-7, John 14:8-9, Mark 3:13-14).

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

Initially skeptical, asking if anything good could come from Nazareth. He fell right into the trap of skepticism that most of us do. We believe that we know the outcome based on what we’ve heard about something or somewhere, we think that we have it all down. The difference here is that Nathanael went to meet Jesus, even through his skepticism. Once he did, Nathanael quickly recognized Him as the Son of God. Honest and straightforward (John 1:45-49, Matthew 10:3, Luke 6:13).

Matthew (Levi)

A tax collector, which made him despised by many Jews. Matthew was a Jewish man who collected taxes for the Romans. This made him an outsider, someone who was pushed away by his own people. But Jesus called him anyway, and Matthew left everything. He later wrote the Gospel of Matthew to show Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:29, John 6:70).

Thomas (Didymus)

Often remembered as “Doubting Thomas” for his questions and desire for evidence. What gets me most about this, though, is how we talk down about his doubts while we have so many of our own. Once he saw the resurrected Jesus, he made a bold confession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-29, John 11:16, John 14:5).

James (son of Alphaeus)

Called “James the Less,” possibly because he was younger or quieter than the other James. Not much is known about him, but he was faithful and part of the Twelve (Mark 3:18, Matthew 10:3, Acts 1:2).

Thaddaeus (also called Judas, son of James, or Lebbaeus) 

Known by multiple names, Thaddaeus was curious and loyal, asking Jesus why He’d reveal Himself only to the disciples and not to the world (Luke 6:16, John 14:22, Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:13-14).

Simon the Zealot

Known for his passion and fervor, he may have been part of a Jewish nationalist group, the Zealots, before meeting Jesus. Simon left his zeal for politics to join Jesus’ mission of love (Luke 6:15, Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18).

Judas Iscariot

Known for betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Even though Judas struggled with greed and ultimately met a tragic end, he was chosen with purpose, showing that Jesus knew every strength and weakness in each of His disciples (Matthew 10:4, Matthew 26:14-16, John 12:4-6, John 6:70-71, Acts 1:2).

Mark 3:13-14 says, “And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.” Emphasis is my own.

Jesus called these men, some of which were unwanted, unloved, maybe even hated. He also chose Judas, the one who would ultimately turn his back on Jesus. Don’t let yourself believe that God can’t use you if Jesus Himself chose those others considered less than. Jesus loves you and wants more for you than you could ever imagine. Don’t believe me? Here’s 10 Bible verses to prove my point:

Romans 5:8

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This verse reminds us that Jesus loved us at our worst, dying for us even when we were far from Him.

Ephesians 2:4-5

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.”

God’s love brings us to life in Christ, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His mercy and grace.

1 John 4:9-10

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Here, John explains that God’s love isn’t conditional on our goodness but was shown when He sent Jesus for us.

Luke 5:31-32

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’”

Jesus came specifically to call those who are broken and need healing. He doesn’t wait for us to “have it all together” before reaching out to us.

John 15:16

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

This verse reveals that Jesus chooses us for a purpose, calling us even before we sought Him out.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Paul’s life is an example of God’s patience and grace. Even as someone who opposed Jesus, Paul was loved, called, and redeemed.

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

No mistake or failure can separate us from Jesus’ love. His love is steadfast, no matter what.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Jesus calls us not just to be forgiven but to be transformed. No matter our past, we’re made new in Him.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

God invites us to come to Him, no matter how messy our lives may look. His forgiveness washes us clean.

Psalm 103:12

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

God’s love and forgiveness are so complete that our sins are removed as far as possible, He doesn’t hold our past against us.

And just one more for good measure:

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

God loves you. Jesus loves you. As you are. Right now. Don’t allow the enemy to get you to believe anything less. 

If you’ve ever questioned your worth or wondered if you’re really chosen, God has already answered that.

My Biblical Affirmation Cards are filled with Scripture to help you silence the lies and stand confidently in who He says you are.

Grab your set here and speak truth over your identity every single day.

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