The Chosen

Genesis 1:26-27: And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He Him; male and female created He them.

In the beginning, God created man. There was one man, one woman, and one God. The first part of Malachi 2:10 says, “Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?” In fact, the Talmud (which is the central text of Judiasm) states that Adam was created from the dust of all four corners of the earth (so to speak) so that no one nation could claim the distinction of being better.
 

Historically, however, the world slipped away from its relationship with God and eventually the entire world was idolaters. Abraham re-discovered the idea of one God, and chose to accept the challenge to change the world through an understanding of monotheism and morality. Through his dedication and willingness to give up everything for God, he was chosen – and his descendents after him – to become the teachers of morality.

In other words, Abraham chose God, and thus God chose Abraham.

The descendents of Abraham were not chosen to be a superior people over other races in the world. They were chosen to share God with the nations. However, over time, they became self-righteous. They wanted to keep God to themselves. They failed to fulfill their purpose as the chosen people of God. They began living their lives by the law of Moses and added so much to the law that their lives were just mindless tradition. So much so, that when the Messiah did live among them, they refused to acknowledge who He was. They rejected Jesus and thus were rejected as God's chosen people.
 

After Christ's resurrection, He sent Paul out to all the nations of the world. Paul began converting Gentiles to Christianity. Spreading the message of one God, one Creator, was now the work of the church. It is now our job today. But how are we doing? Are we fulfilling our calling as God's chosen today? Or have we become like the religious leaders of Jesus' day?
 

Let's look at Matthew 22, starting with verse 1.

(1) And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. (4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
 

This was the invitation to the Jews. They were originally the chosen ones and He was saying, “Now's the time, come.” However, look at verse 5:
 

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.
 

They were more concerned with making money then they were about God. Do we not see this problem in the church today? How many people insist that they cannot come to church because they have to work?
 

Verse 6, And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
 

This is referring to the prophets that were sent to the Jews, but could refer to the Christians that try to speak for God today. Many nations around the world kill Christians every day for proclaiming the name Jesus. Even in America, much persecution is beginning to take place, though not to the extent of other countries. At least not yet. I think of how many people in other countries will go through torture and refuse to deny Jesus and yet, here, we don't even face the physical repercussions but we are so silent.
 

Let's go on to verse 7, But when the king heard therreof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers and burned up their city.

Their time is coming.
 

(8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
 

Since the Jews rejected Jesus, He was presented to the gentiles. He has opened the doors to the world. Whosoever will shall now come freely. It is now our job, as the chosen of God, to share Him with the world, to invite them all to the marriage. No matter what they've done in life, both bad and good, are invited to share in the marriage supper.
 

Verse 11: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
 

Now, this wedding garment was a white robe, supplied by the groom's father for every man to wear. This man, however, felt like his own clothes were good enough and didn't feel the need to put on the wedding garment. This is a picture of self-righteousness. Yes, we are told to come just as we are, but we are not meant to stay that way. We can never be “good enough” in ourselves. We are meant to clothe ourselves with His righteousness. If we do not, we are fooling ourselves. And what will be the outcome?
 

(13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
 

There is only room in heaven for those that are willing to do things God's way. We cannot make our own way to heaven. We cannot get there in our own self-righteousness.
 

Let's also take a quick look at Matthew 21: 28-30:
 

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
 

The first son represents people that, at first, made no pretense of Salvation, but later repented. The second son represents the Pharisees that He was speaking to, who claimed much but actually had nothing. Are we a repentant people and going forth doing our Father's business or are we saying “Yes, God” with our mouths only?