Whom He Has Chosen

John 13:18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'

18 Οὐ περὶ πάντων ὑμῶν λέγω· ἐγὼ οἶδα τίνας ἐξελεξάμην· ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ· ὁ τρώγων μου τὸν ἄρτον ἐπῆρεν ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ τὴν πτέρναν αὐτοῦ.

This statement comes after Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, including Judas'.  Could you imagine knowing that you were performing such a menial task for one who would betray you to your death in a few hours?  I don't know if I could do it.  In fact, I'm sure that I couldn't apart from the Holy Spirit.

But what really impresses me with this is the statement that Jesus makes about how ἐγὼ οἶδα τίνας ἐξελεξάμην.  The word ἐξελεξάμην is an aorist middle first person indicative.  It is from εκλεγω, which means to choose.  The translation is just fine.  I take this to mean that Jesus specifically chose His disciples.  He still does this today.  We may think that we are in control of this, but it was done from before time began.

Nevertheless, I do not know who He chose.  Therefore, I keep issuing the call to salvation.  Repent and believe in Christ and you will be saved.  My prayer is that those who read this would either take heart in their salvation or else be saved for the first time as they read this.