A (Multiethnic)People for His Own Possession

Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-10 

Devotional: 

We all long to belong. From the earliest days of human history, people have gathered in tribes, nations, and families, defining themselves by who they are and who they are not. But in 1 Peter 2:9-10, we see a clear declaration of identity—not based on ethnicity, nationality, or personal merit, but on God’s choosing 

These words resemble Exodus 19:5-6, where God spoke to Israel at Mount Sinai, “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples… and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Israel was set apart, chosen not because of their greatness but because of God’s sovereign grace (see Deuteronomy 7:6-8). They were meant to be a light to the nations, a priestly people mediating God’s presence to the world. But as history unfolded, Israel often misunderstood what it meant to be chosen, turning it into a mark of superiority rather than a mission. Ethnocentric pride crept in—they began to see their identity as an end rather than a means for global blessing. 

But Peter’s words expand the vision. Through Christ, the people of God are no longer defined by ethnic boundaries. The gospel breaks through the dividing walls, calling Jew and Gentile alike into one new people (see Ephesians 2:14-16). No longer is God’s kingdom confined to a single nation; it is a global, multiethnic family formed by mercy, not ancestry. 

This is why Jesus, in Matthew 28:19-20, commands His disciples to, “go and make disciples of all nations.” The mission that began with Israel now extends to every tribe, tongue, and people. The church is the fulfillment of God’s plan—to gather a people for Himself, not by bloodline, but by faith in Christ. 

Peter’s words challenge any sense of superiority, reminding us that we were once outsiders, undeserving of mercy. We do not belong because of our goodness or background, but because God called us out of darkness. And now, as His chosen people, we have a purpose—to proclaim His excellencies to the world, to make known the mercy we have received. 

Application Question: How does being a chosen people propel you forward to share in God’s Mission? 

Further Study: Exodus 19:5-6; Ephesians 2:11-22; Revelation 7:9-10 

Written by Jaclyn Mains