To Jesus, there is nothing disqualifying about “common men” who lack formal education. How can they be effective? They have the one necessary qualification: “They had been with Jesus.” He is their preparation, and ours. He is the source of their effectiveness, and ours. His promise in the Great Commission continues for every disciple: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We are like earthenware pots—plain, fragile, even cracked. But our weakness makes all the clearer that the power and credit for effectiveness belong to Him rather than us.
But we have this treasure [the Gospel] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
[God says,] “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).