I like the Christian mini movie series “The Chosen”. In fact, it’s one of the few TV programs or movies I watch. I’m not a big TV or movie person. But I love “The Chosen” because it is a good expression of scripture. I know that it’s a movie, but if you can get past that, you will find a story line that is close to what our scripture tells us.
“The Chosen” is about the story, the relationship, and the lives of the people Jesus choose to be His disciples and how that might have gone had we been there to witness it. Jesus chose 12 people to be His disciples. They were called to be His disciples. And they were His Chosen.
The story makes me think about myself and ask, “What about me?” It makes me wonder if I am Called, if I am Chosen, or if I am neither. So, as I considered these two words, Called and Chosen, what I found is simple. I want to be both Called and Chosen. And being neither, well that is not an option for me. Here is why.
In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the story of a king who held a wedding feast for the marriage of His Son. The King sent out invitations to call His friends to the wedding. But many people were too busy to answer the call. They had all kinds of excuses.
The King then told His servants to go out into the streets and bring in anyone and everyone to the wedding – good or bad – until the banquet was full of people. But the King found one man there who was not invited so this man was thrown out into outer darkness.
Then in Matthew 22:14, Jesus explains this by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” The King in this story could be God. The Son in this story could be Jesus. The wedding in this story could be the joy both God and Jesus have because each of us are called to accept their invitation and gift of salvation.
God says to us, I am going to call a lot of people. But I will choose those who respond with a hearty yes to come to the to spend eternity with Me. But like the invitees in this story, many of us will be called but we won’t respond. So, few of us who are called or invited will be Chosen by God.
Abraham, John the Baptist, and Moses were each called by God. Their actions showed us they were Chosen by God to live with Him in eternity.
Mary was Chosen by God. Her actions showed us she was called to live with Him in eternity.
David was Called by and Chosen by God. So, David gets to live with God in eternity.
King Saul was neither Called by God nor Chosen by God. Saul was the people’s choice to be their king. We don’t know about the eternal life of Saul. But if he were neither Called nor Chosen, then we know that is not a great state in which to find yourself.
Consider what this means to you. Read Matthew 22 1-14. Jesus isn’t just talking about an earthly king and an earthly wedding. He is speaking to you and me about the desires we should have to make sure we are both Called and Chosen.
Don’t think you must have a ministry of some sorts to be Called. God is always calling you to come to Him. You don’t need a special anointing of the Spirit to receive a Call of God or to respond to the Call of God. All you really need is a hearty response of yes!
Many are called. You are one of the many. Few are Chosen. You want to be one of the few. When Jesus writes the next chapter of “The Chosen,” make sure He is speaking about you as one of those He called and choose to be with Him.
And try not to be too religious about being Called or being Chosen. When you are Called, people will see how you respond to something greater than your own desires.
When you are Chosen, people will see how you live quietly, listening to someone greater than you or anyone around you.
Many are Called. Few are Chosen. And all these live quietly listening and responding to the Lord with their lives more than with their words.
Live a Delivered Life. Love you.