By Don Schatz

Chosen One

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud Link.

“…from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
II Thessalonians 2:13. New International Version.

In one of the Indiana Jones movies, Indiana Jones finds himself in a cave with multiple cups of various kinds, each purported to be the Holy Grail.  There is also present an antagonist and an ancient Knight, sworn to protect the grail.  Mythologically, to drink from the cup of Christ gives one eternal life.  Which one?  How to choose?  The antagonist chooses an ornate cup, surely the cup of a King.  He drinks and turns to dust.  The nearly dried-up Knight speaks dryly, “He chose poorly.”  Indiana Jones chooses a plain clay cup.  “The cup of a carpenter.”   He drinks and lives.  The dry Knight once again, “You have chosen wisely.”

On this eve of Christmas Eve, we do not have to choose.  And hope the choice is correct.  There is no “correct” choice of nativity set.  There is no “correct” choice we can make for eternal life.  We never have to do so.  God chose us.  He chose us in Christ Jesus.  HE is the chosen one, the anointed one, the Savior.  We “choose” life in Christ because God first chose us for Life in Christ.

You have done a lot of choosing these past weeks.  There always seems to be that one person who is so difficult to buy for.  What should I choose to give her/him?  In the end, you make a choice, wrap it up so colorfully, give it to its recipient–and hope you made the right choice.  Or at least a good choice.  Good-enough choice?

God made the right choice in choosing you.  Absolutely no doubt about that.  He has called you by name.  You are his in and through Christ Jesus.

Are you still choosing?  A late gift-buyer?  What to wear on Christmas Eve?  What to wear Christmas Day?  What to serve to family and friends on those days?  Oh, we fill our lives with choices.  With each choice you make, remember that you are Chosen By God.  How dear to him you are.  It is why Christ came.  For you.  To call your name.

Copyright, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado