“For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed nor shall there be any after me.” – Isaiah 43:10

I was once one of almost 100 people who applied for a single position.

The interview process had four stages, basically aimed at eliminating as many of the ‘unwanted’ applicants as possible.

By the time we came to the third stage, only about six of us had remained. 

They wanted only one person, so the final interview was always going to be really tough.

Eventually, the person who had been acting in the position for several months was given the job.

Somehow, the rest of us had the feeling that they had already chosen their person long before they even advertised the position.

For obvious reasons, good jobs have increasingly become very difficult to come by.

Recently, a friend told me that he was one of thousands who expressed interest in a few positions at a top Government body. 

He told me that the largest hall in the city was hired for the aptitude test alone, and it was full. 

Those who passed the aptitude test had other selection stages to go through to sieve out the few who would reach the final interview stage.  

He compared the rigorous process he went through to doing a post graduate diploma.

We all have our own different experiences of going for something (including a prospective spouse) and being selected or rejected. 

From our meditation verse today, we can surely identify with what Jesus said – many were indeed called but few were chosen. 

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

DEUTERONOMY 7:6.

From the eight billion people on earth, God chose you to be one of the few who know Him deeply. Think about it.

I like the verse from Isaiah 43. It says “and you’re my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am [God].”

You’re God’s servant, chosen by Him so that you may know Him, that you may believe Him and that you may understand Him.

That is what it means to be chosen to be His ‘witness’ and His servant. 

That’s what Moses meant when he said; “for you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth (see Deuteronomy 7:6).

It’s also what Peter meant when he wrote; “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1Peter 2:9, NIV).

If you know the love of Jesus, you have faith in Him and you understand that He is Lord of all, then you’re blessed to be one of the chosen few. 

It’s awesome to know that we are His chosen ones. The ‘advert’ went out, many expressed interest and the selection process was never easy, but we came through successfully.

As His own chosen generation, let’s all serve Him by being His witnesses; there are still many who don’t know that they’re among His chosen few.  You’re the chosen; you’re accepted!

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you that I didn’t choose you but you chose me. I am yours and will always be. Help me to serve you by knowing you more and making you known. For the glory of your Name, Amen!