I have a memory of my school days that may or may not be one that you share. It was shortly after my family had moved to Dallas, and I was the “new” kid in school entering the Third Grade. Not only that, but I was pretty much the runt of the class. And to top it all off, I was the preacher’s kid at the parochial school, which wasn’t something that made you very popular. At recess, when it was time to choose sides for whatever game we were playing that day, I was usually among the last to be chosen. Truth be told, I couldn’t blame them, because I wasn’t very coordinated or good at the games. Then came the day when one of the captains was a friend of mine, another of those usually chosen at the end. He did something a little different. Rather than choosing those who seemed to be the most deserving or the best athletes, he chose his friends. I was among the first ones chosen, even though I knew I didn’t deserve it. The feeling of joy and happiness that gave me is something I can still recall to this day. We had a great time playing that day, even if we didn’t win, because we had our friends on the team with us! Although I didn’t realize it at the time, when my friend chose me that day, he gave me a picture of what God has done for you and for me in Christ Jesus. He has chosen us to be His own even though we are not deserving of it. It is something that comes from His friendship, His love, His grace.

ISAIAH 42:1-7  1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.  3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.” 5 This is what God the LORD says– he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

This passage was read in many Christian congregations today. God is speaking of His chosen Servant, whom we can easily identify as Jesus Christ. The descriptions in this passage line up with what we read in the New Testament. For example, it says I will put my spirit on him, which we heard happened in the form of a doveat the Baptism of Jesus in today’s Gospel lesson. We know that He brought forgiveness to the world through His work of redemption, his perfect life and death in our place. He placed Himself under the Law of God for your benefit. He lived a perfect life for you. He went to the cross for your sake, and rose again to announce to the world that He had brought His justice.

Isaiah recorded that the chosen Servant of God would bring justice to the nations, that he would establish justice on the earth. This justice is not the normal justice we would expect from the world, but is tempered with mercy. This justice is a reference to the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus and the forgiveness he offers. The world was found guilty according to the justice of the Law. It was condemned to death before the judgment seat of the Almighty. But standing in the same court is the innocent Servant of the Lord. Because of this, God does not hold our sins against us. Instead He charges them all to Christ Jesus, who took them on Himself and made payment for the sins of all nations, reconciling the world to Himself. The justice of God through Christ, which is actually mercy, is the only way you can be spared from your deserved punishment.

Jesus was chosen to be your Savior because He was the only one capable of accomplishing salvation for all people. God has also chosen people to be His own. The choosing of Jesus to be the Savior was a gracious act, something God did for undeserving mankind. And as far as you and I are concerned, “chosen” is certainly a grace-alone word. Being chosen by God is like that playground incident–it was not deserved, but done from compassion and love.

Those of us who have come to faith in Jesus are God’s chosen people. Through grace, the Spirit of God has called you through the Gospel to believe in Jesus Christ. It is important that you understand this, that you are chosen by God. You did not choose God, He chose you. Jesus says that in John 15: You did not choose Me, but I chose you…  You did nothing to earn it. God’s choosing you is a gift. The fact that you are chosen frees you from trying to be acceptable on your own, since you are already declared righteous through faith in Christ. And you can rejoice that your salvation is certain; it is based on what Jesus did for you; it was accomplished by God Himself. God chose His Servant before the foundation of the world, to be your Savior. His redemption was so complete and successful that it removes any possibility of merit or contribution on your part. The fact is that you are chosen by God’s grace, not because of who you are or what you have done.

Even though you are not chosen because of what you have done, you have been chosen to do something. Jesus said,

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:16-17)

You have been chosen to receive the salvation Jesus earned and to share it with others. Your purpose in being chosen is to be a servant of the Servant. You are to be “little Christs” who bring the news of salvation to all nations, giving God the glory.

The fact that you are chosen means you are a part of the kingdom of God. This “chosen” aspect was made sure in your Baptism. In Baptism, God does something for you. He washes away sins, the Spirit creating faith in your heart, and God announces that you are His dear child. This is not because of your worthiness, but because He declares you righteous. It is not because of your nationality, but by water and the Word. And you have been made His child not for your own glory, but for service to your God. He has chosen you to be His witness, to be a light to the Gentiles. God grant this.