Chosen - John 15:16-17

Jesus has called his disciples “friends” and in perhaps an attempt to increase their self-confidence he says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” This is one of those statements that I have a difficult time understanding because they way I read it makes it seem like He’s saying that their personal righteousness or decisions had no impact on their call to the apostleship, and we know that’s not true. When Jesus called these men to follow him, they were spiritually prepared, meaning that they had spent considerable time in prayer and in the scriptures, they were aware enough to be looking for the Messiah and worthy enough to feel the Spirit when Jesus approached them. But what if they were righteous but not willing to give up their lives and families to follow this strange guy around, would Jesus have insisted that they come with him? Of course not, that’s kidnapping.

And what if they had chosen to follow Jesus, but Jesus doesn’t choose them to follow him back? Does He do that? Does he tell those who believe in him and follow him to back off? Of course not. So what could this statement possibly mean? The IM explains, “John 15:16 is an important scripture on the doctrine of ecclesiastical authority. The Savior’s statement in this verse shows that in His Church, He is the one who determines who will be called and set apart to serve in various positions. President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of how this principle is reflected in the current leadership of the Church: ‘No faithful member of this Church would think of applying for ecclesiastical office. Rather, ‘we believe that a man must be called of god, by prophecy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.’” This is a commentary on why the disciples specifically were chosen.
But how is that meant to boost their spirits? I feel like this statement made by the Lord says, “you are my friends and I’ve told you everything that I know, and I know that times are about to get hard, but I chose you all for a reason and you can do this.” Jesus is the God of the universe, he knows everything about everyone and yet he chose these particular men to carry on his life’s work after he’s gone. That would be an incredible boost of confidence for me. He’s saying, “you’re not following me because you wanted to, you’re following me because I see in you the ability to do what I need to have done.” And then he points out that they have all been “ordained” which gives reference to the divine priesthood power that Jesus had given each of them to carry out the calling appointed to them. “I chose you because I know you can do this and I gave you my power to help you.” That sounds pretty encouraging to me.