Chosen … you have been.  John 15.11-17

Click to read: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:11-17&version=NLT&interface=print

Key verse: You didn’t choose me. I chose you.  v.16

Good Day! 

Do you remember playground kickball games, when two popular kids would choose teams from a crooked row of wanna-be kickers, thinking ‘pick me, pick me…oh, please pick me!’   If you were among the first chosen, it was awesome; if you were one of the last men standing, it was something less than deflating—sometimes outright painful.  Fact is, all of us want to be chosen. 

I have good news today--Jesus has chosen you.  He said so.  Looking over these seven verses in the middle of John 15, he makes it clear, “I chose you.”  What was he talking about, chosen in what way?  We are chosen to belong to him, and more—we are chosen to be his friends, chosen to obey him, chosen to love, chosen for joy, and chosen to bear fruit—all concepts that come out of this passage.

Jesus called us to be his friends, as Abraham was the friend of God.  It is interesting to note that in the Middle East and among Roman emperors, it was common to have a select group of friends of the king.  ‘Friends’ of the king had special privileges others were simply not afforded.  These friends had access to the king at all times, and were even permitted into his private chambers at the start of his day.  You have been chosen to be a friend of Jesus, a friend of the King of Kings.  Chosen … too marvelous for words. 

When Jesus chose you to be on his team, he gave you access to him—at all times.  Hmmm . . . I’m thinking, ‘Why not take advantage of that privilege and start your day in the King’s company, practicing the presence of God, communing in prayer?’  And then, after being with the King, go out and bear fruit that will last … by looking to see someone to whom you might extend love, or finding someone to serve. 

And joy?  Jesus actually links joy with obedience; friends, it seems that JoY is a by-product of our obedience to God.  Here’s how it works: when we bring glory to God through our obedience to him, there is a satisfaction deep within—a smile that spreads through our souls … a strength that is produced in us, and God’s approval resting upon us.  JoY – cannot be taken away, cannot be replicated in the world … JoY is part of what it means to be Chosen.

Because you are ... chosen,

Christine