Jesus had just told the disciples that “he is the vine and they are the branches.” To disciples Jesus is speaking. The very people he chose to be with him those three years of his ministry are the ones who hear these words. While they are wondering how they got into this mess, our Lord assures them they didn’t choose him, he chose them! “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete (v. 11).” So the disciples have the assurance that they have not chosen God, but in his grace, he approached them with a call and an offer made out of his love. It’s one of the vital signs of the alive Body of Christ of Easter. He is alive and active and comes after us. Even when we don’t want to be chosen, even when we hide behind our skirts of littleness and…