John 15:16
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
The day after the night that Jesus spoke these words, he laid down his life for us. He has proven his commitment to me. Is my commitment to him as strong? Jesus not only speaks to his disciples here, but to me also. My calling to serve Christ is always in the shadow of the cross because he came as a sacrifice. I’ve struggled with this scripture because I always thought that I chose to follow Christ through my free will. But when I think deeper about it, I realized that Jesus is really telling me that he chose me because he wants me, he called me. It means I have a purpose and a responsibility. I am valued. I matter.
When Jesus tells me he chose me, he encourages me and walks this journey with me. Jesus claims me as a daughter with whom he loves dearly. He is my Father. My family accepts me as I am, flaws included. We help one another and support one another. Because we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we accept one another, flaws included. We support and encourage one another. We forgive one another. We need one another. We work together to build his kingdom.
Jesus’ choice in choosing me was to recreate and resurrect me from the death from my sin. My choice in following Jesus is my response to trust in Jesus and be committed to bearing fruit. I am reminded that he is the vine and I am the branch. Fruit grows from the branch as the vine provides the nutrients.
Do I realize what it means for Christ to choose me and what it means for me to choose Christ? He has appointed me to bear fruit and abide in him. How often do I turn my back and not choose him by not trusting or fully abiding in him? Lord, give me fertile soil to bear fruit for you.
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