The best team of all time

If you are a football fan, I would like to ask you a question: which is the best team of all time? I'll give you a few minutes to think about it; which eleven men were they? Have you got it? I'm sure many will have some of the same names on their list, like DE STEFANO, PELE, CRUYFF, MARADONA, MESSI, BECKENBAUER, BOBBY CHARLTON, PUSKAS, MATTHEWS, and others.

If I told you that the best team of all time was made up of PETER, JOHN, JAMES, ANDREW, BARTHOLOMEW, THOMAS, JUDAS, JAMES, PHILIP, MATTHEW and SIMON, you might say, "What team were they on?" Actually, they weren't a sports team at all, but eleven men capable of changing and transforming the world.

When the Lord Jesus was resurrected, and ascended to heaven, he was at peace. He knew that he was leaving behind on earth eleven men capable of carrying the Gospel to the entire world. He had spent three years with them, teaching them everything about the spiritual life. They had been three difficult years for the men, with joys and sorrows, with persecutions and praise; three years of healing, helping and serving others; three years living and sharing life with God himself.

Jesus trained these eleven men, for it was God's plan. There was no other. What would have happened if the plan had failed? God didn't allow angels to proclaim the Gospel. He didn't leave signs written in the heavens. God didn't speak in a loud voice which carried across the universe so that men  would know his will. God's entire plan was put into the hands of eleven very ordinary men, without human power, fearful, and doubting - eleven men waiting for supernatural power.

That was the secret. God sent his Holy Spirit and filled with power all those who believed in him. The fearful began to proclaim the message, until martyrdom or prison stopped them. Those who were once doubters were able to turn the world upside down before the end of the first century. These eleven grew to be more than half a million followers of Christ.

Change the world! That is what God has called us to do, because that original team has expanded in order that millions of different people can be a part of it. Everyone who follows the Lord Jesus and his teachings is now part of this team, and the world is a better place thanks to them. God has called us to transform this world using a very concrete tactic, by changing each person who lives in it. God has the power to bring about this change.

This team never loses.