Chosen

Tom Barnard

 

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain;

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

John 15:16 NKJV

 

“When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so.

Come, my soul, dance before the God of grace, and let your heart leap for joy!”

Charles H. Spurgeon

 

The men to whom Jesus spoke these words were not kings and princes, leaders of state, or educated clergy. They were, for the most part, men of the working class. They had been with Jesus for three years and were just beginning to understand the new direction their lives had taken. Judas was out of the picture; Jesus was preparing his remaining disciples for his imminent absence. The Cross was directly ahead for him. These words were among the last they would hear from his lips—until following his death and resurrection. His arrest, trial, and execution were hours away.

 

Do you have any idea what Jesus meant when he said, “I have chosen you”? He meant that of all the people he could have chosen in Palestine, he chose them! These were not leaders of the synagogue, heads of state, or distinguished businessmen of Jerusalem. They were simple-minded, average men. Their resources were pathetic. Two fishing boats…some worn-out nets…the clothes on their backs.

 

But he said, “I have chosen you… to be fruitful.” Not observers any longer. Producers! Evangelists! Teachers! Healers! Apostles! People who, when they prayed to the Father in the name of the Son, would see miracles happen!

 

Jesus has chosen us! You and me. There is work to be done. We will do it. There are lost people to be found; we will do our best to find them. There are prayers to be spoken; we will voice them. There is a mission to advance; we will advance it. And someday we will “dance before the God of grace and let our hearts leap for joy.” By whose authority? By the authority of Jesus Christ! He has chosen us!

 

Lord, I beg your forgiveness for my short-sightedness. My preference would be for a seat in the balcony, not on the platform. I don’t know why you have chosen me. My frailties are obvious. I am old and my resources are not great. But I am honored that you would choose me for anything! But you have. And my response must be immediate. So I say to you, if you open the door and take the lead, I will follow. Amen.