No Small Parts

No Small Parts

Mark 3:14-19

            Too many times in amateur (and perhaps some professional) theatre productions, actors who have been cast in bit parts have heard the words, “There are no small parts, only small actors.”  And, to a certain extent, it’s true.  That’s why the Motion Picture Academy and other theatre arts organizations give awards to supporting actors and actresses.  Sometimes those with small parts are better in their roles than the stars.  We have all seen plays (again, mostly amateur productions) where someone with a small role is so good that he/she makes everyone else look bad by comparison—not because of an attempt to upstage the leads and take over the show, but simply because that particular actor is a great fit for the part and outshines everyone else.

            On the other hand, we know that in the majority of cases, these words have been used to soothe the hurt feelings of those who have only a few lines—or perhaps, no lines at all.  The director doesn’t want hard feelings among the cast—or worse, to have someone quit the show because he/she feels cheated.  So the director tries to make everyone feel important—even those who just walk onstage and stand there.

            A call to potential greatness or a way to smooth potentially troubled waters—whichever result is expected from the utterance of these eight words, they have become an integral part of the theatre.  As long as we have actors these words will continue to be heard.

            The same sentiment occurs in other areas of the arts as well.  The poet John Milton concludes his sonnet on his blindness with the words, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”  Even the lowly triangle player in the orchestra would be missed if he didn’t “ting” at the correct time.  Life itself is full of small roles and support personnel.

            It should come as no surprise that when Jesus called the twelve he didn’t choose all superstars.  We know about Peter, of course, and Andrew, his brother, and James and John, the “Sons of Thunder” (wouldn’t that make a great name for a pair of superheroes!).  Judas Iscariot is a name we know.  We always remember the villain.  Other names stand out:  Matthew (the tax collector), Philip, Thomas (he who has earned the nickname “Doubting Thomas”).  Perhaps you even remember Bartholomew.  But can you name all twelve?  You might be interested to know that the list changes from gospel to gospel.  Some of the “lesser” members of the twelve have such small parts that not even the writers of Jesus’ story could remember all their names.

            Some of the twelve are mentioned in the lists and never heard from again.  Then there was Matthias.  You may remember him from the first chapter of Acts.  He won the election to replace Judas.  We see his name twice ( in verses 23 and 26), and never again.

            Small parts?  Small actors?  Which is true?  Or are both true?  Or neither?  In the end, does it really matter?  We know Jesus chose them—chose them to be part of his inner circle.  He didn’t choose them because of their great reputations or excellent references.  He didn’t choose them because he saw them becoming leading actors.  He didn’t choose them to shine forth in the pages of history, to be remembered for their great deeds.  But Jesus did choose them, and taught them, and sent them out to preach the gospel, and heal diseases, and cast out demons.  It doesn’t really matter if we can’t remember their names, or if they didn’t get big write-ups in the gospels.  It matters that Jesus chose them, and commissioned them, and trusted them to do God’s work in the world. 

And Jesus chooses us in the same way and for the same reasons.