What does it mean to be chosen?
You know, it’s amazing how every Easter, there’s always a fresh subtext that we didn’t see the year before. The message of Easter is always the same, yes - the life, death and resurrection of our Christ Jesus and the ensuing salvation that his selfless, sacrificial act brought to the whole of humankind. But with every celebration, this message that never changes at its core always finds new ways to speak to us, the people for which the price was paid.
This year, the message of Easter has given me a new subtext. It is simple but yet the intensity with which it struck me anew is not something I’m sure I can put in words and capture completely. But before that, let’s backtrack a little, shall we?
Jesus though fully man, was also fully divine and he, not dwelling on his divinity and the great importance which he carried, humbled himself to live among us as humans, to be subjected to our passions, frailty and weaknesses. Do you realise how degrading that must have been? We all know how insulted we feel when someone, even if it’s done mistakenly, categorises us in a position less than we actually possess. Now imagine the wide chasms that separated humanity and divinity that He had to cross in order to make redemption possible, to take it from a concept that remained known in part to one whose pieces were made complete. Total redemption.
I was musing on the whole purpose of Easter when I realised it again. That Jesus’s sacrifice was a choice. That do not be deceived, Jesus was under no compulsion to see through the redemption plan to its completion. It was a CHOICE.
That moment in Gethsemane when the burden seemed almost too great to bear, He could have thrown in the towel and told the Father that ‘Alaye, I’m not running this parole again o. We can find another way or better still, let them continue how they used to, with the law and the animal sacrifices.’ He could have said that (well, not in exact words but I like to imagine that the moment would have been sweeter if He had said it in Nigerian pidgin). But He didn’t. D’yu know why?
Because He saw you. Because He saw your face. Because He saw the possibility of a beautiful, glorious life ahead for you, one in, with and for Elohim, only made possible by his sacrifice. Because Jesus knew he wouldn’t be dying for a nameless, faceless multitude, but that you would one day need what he had then and forever provided. Because he knew you needed a full life, one that only Yahweh could make count.
This Easter, even as the season of celebration wraps up and we all get back to life as usual, make sure you always carry the reminder that you are chosen. You’ve been, since before you were born. You are not nameless or faceless, neither are you aimless or anchor-less. You’ve been chosen by God to fulfill His good purpose through Christ. So, your life does count. If it didn’t, a life worth so much would not have been traded in exchange for yours.
Jesus died for you. Jesus gave his life in place of yours. Jesus braved Sheol for you. Jesus defeated death for you. Jesus brought LIFE for you. As if he hadn’t already done more than we could hope, he rose again, not just to take his exalted place by the Father’s right hand but to further your cause, as your advocate, till the end of the age. Even when you had no knowledge that you had need of one.
So, dear ara adugbo, you’ve been given this chance to truly LIVE, a chance bought and paid for in blood. Make sure you make it count.
Mo’s BTS Note
God help us all🤗
It’s not too late to send my Easter greetings, is it? I guess not. So Happy Easter, dear ara adugbo! It’s the anniversary of the best news ever, that the Son of Man has defeated death forever. Hallelujahhhh.
I’m so glad that I get to write to you this Easter. This is a first for us here at Gbogbo Ero since last year, I didn’t have the direction I do now, nor the intentionality I currently possess. I had started the article since sef but I wasn’t feeling well for a bit and it affected the time I’d have used to write.
Around like past 6pm today, I didn’t want to give up and have to wait till next year again so I called out to my Oga i.e. HS, and He somehow turbo-charged me through the whole thing. By few minutes past 7, it was already done and dusted. This both awed and pleased me.
Did reading this bless you? This article was written with so much intentionality and the process of writing it was nothing short of divine. If you can read this right now, biko, please, engage. Like this post, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t.
If you’re new here, have a hugee virtual hug from me. Welcome to the adugbo! We get up to amazing stuff here and you’ll definitely love it. Look around our past editions if you want proof😌
Alrighty! I hope you have a fabulous week and you’ll be hearing from me hopefully not too far off in the future. Cuz, look at this nice trend since I got back to school. Looks so nice, hopefully, it stays that way🌚
Take care ehn🤗
All my love,
Mofeoluwa💚
I am chosen ❤️🤭
Jesus saw me that's why he died. Though painful he thought of us his beloved 😍.
I'm glad Christ died ✨ and not only that he resurrected so that I can live 💃.
Thank you Aunty Mo ❤️. This is really beautiful ❤️🤩
I am chosen! This has been my confession all through this month.
Truly, this year's Easter celebration hit me differently and in a new way 🥹. God is so good. I'm not a faceless individual. God knows me and He gave Himself for me. He didn't have to but He did!
This life He has given me would count for something!
Thank you once again Mofe for this reminder ❤️