Chosen by God

1 Peter 2:9-10

It was somewhere around fifth grade when I attended our denomination’s summer camp for the first time.  The potential blow of separation from family was eased considerably because my father was one of the counselors.  Not mine, of course.  That would not have been cool.  Still, he was there, so I wasn’t completely cut off.  One of his oldest friends was also a counselor, a man I’d known my whole life, and one whom I respected greatly.

One afternoon, before supper, the counselors organized a softball game for campers in my age group.  As you can imagine, there wasn’t a lot of talent in the player pool.  Never a great athlete, I was certainly not going to be one of the stars of even this low-level game. 

The coaches were my father and his friend.  They began to choose up sides.  Naturally, my father didn’t choose me first.  That wouldn’t have looked right on any level.  A few boys had been chosen for each team when my father’s friend called my name.  Remember, this was a man I knew well and liked very much.  It was logical that he should pick me instead of my father.  Still, I was heartbroken.  I wanted to be on my father’s team.  I started to cry and ran to my cabin, where I spent the entire game.

To his credit, Dad let me wait it out, only coming to talk to me after the game was completed.  I cannot recall what he said, but I know they were words of wisdom, and words that helped me grow.  Dad was always a great teacher.

The twelve disciples were chosen by Jesus.  Although the accounts differ from gospel to gospel, we know Jesus issued a personal invitation to each of them.  “Follow me,” he said, and they did.  What an honor it was for them to be chosen by the Master!  How proud they must have been to be on his team!  No crying for them at having been left out.  They were where they wanted to be.

Years passed.  Jesus had ascended, and his disciples—now called apostles—were carrying on his work.  They were preaching in the temple and the synagogues—even in the streets.  They were baptizing converts.  They were growing a little band into a world-changing force.  The influence of this new religion spread beyond Jerusalem, beyond Galilee—beyond Israel.  People were becoming Christians who had never met the Savior, but were joining the team because of the enthusiasm and commitment of his followers.

As the church spread, communication became important.  Some of the apostles discovered a talent for writing letters—letters that were passed from church to church, read aloud, and eagerly heard.  These letters were full of hope, instruction and encouragement.

Peter wanted to give his readers something of the thrill he had felt when Jesus called him.  He knew those who would hear his words had nothing to hold them together except their newfound faith in Christ.  Would that be enough?

“You are a chosen race,” Peter wrote.  “You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession.”

Imagine the assurance those words must have brought.  These ragtag groups of believers, not usually from the privileged classes, had been chosen—not just chosen but royal, and a nation.  They belonged to God.

Like Peter’s audience, we have been chosen by God, not for some earthly team, but to be God’s people.  Royal!  Holy!  God’s possession!  That’s us!