Chosen

With the rising popularity of the Angel Studios series “The Chosen”, we get a visual of what it was like when Jesus called his disciples. We can read about their callings in the Bible, but “The Chosen” puts it to life like no other series has. The disciples were chosen, hand selected by Jesus Christ to carry out his work and tell others of him. Do you know that you’re chosen as well? Jesus may not have come to your fishing boat or your cubicle at work and said, “Come, follow me.” However, he was there at your baptism, saying, “Come, follow me.” As a Christian, you are to carry out the same work as the Apostles. You are to be spreading the Word of God just as the twelve did. We hear in 1 Peter 2:9 his encouraging and instructional word to the exiles of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, that they are called to be Holy and should live as Holy people. In my studies at Concordia for the DCM program, we talked a lot about what it meant to be set apart, chosen, anointed, and recognizing vocation. In fact, the LCMS has an entire initiative called Set Apart to Serve, and there’s an entire textbook called, “Called to Be Holy.” It’s kind of a big deal!

You’re probably thinking, that’s great for you, you chose to go into churchwork. While, yes, I heard the call to serve God in the church and to carry out his Word in a greater capacity, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t called as well. You have been baptized into the body of Christ. You are a part of this wonderful gathering of saints around the Word and sacrament called the Church. You have been anointed by Christ Jesus himself to share his Word and love with others. Some days you may feel like you’re an exile like Peter was speaking to. Alone on an island, and who possibly could you share God’s Word with. It may be easier than you think. Have you ever listened to a stranger at the grocery store tell you about their day? I have been put in that situation a few times, not willingly, but because I happened to be there when someone needed to talk. That is an example of sharing Christ’s love with others. This is an opportunity to tell others about Jesus, even if it’s in an indirect way. You can simply offer to pray for someone you encounter during your day. Or maybe you go days without seeing someone. If you talk to someone on the phone, or email them, remind them that Jesus loves them. You have been called out of the darkness of sin and death, into the light of life in Christ. Whether you serve in the church, or in the mission field, you too are chosen like the apostles to spread the Word far and wide.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for choosing me to be part of your holy nation. Help me and guide me as I seek to share your Word and love with those around me. Remind me that I am set apart as your child and help me hear you when you say, “Come, follow me”. In your name we pray. Amen.