It is remarkable to consider that we receive the Gospel from
those who are often resistant to hearing it. The Jewish people, who were the
first to receive the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, not only
rejected it but have, at times, become hostile towards the followers of Jesus.
This rejection has inadvertently paved the way for the spread of the Gospel to
the Gentiles, ultimately leading to many receiving salvation. This dynamic of
hostility, while it may seem negative on the surface, is a part of God’s divine
plan. It serves as a testament to His unwavering faithfulness and the
fulfillment of His promises.
When reflecting on the promises made to their forefathers,
especially those given to giants of faith like Abraham, who was promised
descendants as numerous as the stars, and Moses, who was entrusted with the
Law, it becomes evident that God’s gifts and promises do not diminish, even if
Israel falters in faithfulness. Despite the failings of His people, God remains
steadfast to His word and will fulfill His covenant promises to Israel and to
all believers.
Ultimately, it is not about how much we can please God or
what we can accomplish for God in our own strength. Instead, it is always about
His faithfulness to us. We can rest confidently in the assurance that God will
act according to His promises, demonstrating His love and sovereignty
throughout history and in our present-day lives.
In a manner reminiscent of our past disobedience to God, we now find ourselves recipients of His mercy due to the disobedience of the Jewish people. Their rejection of God’s will has created an opportunity for the Gentile believers to experience His grace, illustrating a divine exchange of mercy. God’s intention, evident from the very beginning of creation, was to allow all people to encounter disobedience so that He could ultimately demonstrate His boundless mercy to everyone.
This profound truth reveals the immeasurable depth of God’s
riches, His sovereign authority, and His infinite wisdom. Unlike us, who may
focus on the immediate outcomes of our choices, God takes a long-term view of
our existence, understanding the intricate workings of our lives across time.
At the center of this narrative is Jesus Christ, whose judgments are beyond our
understanding and whose ways are unfathomable to the human mind. Through Him,
we gain insight into the complexities of grace and redemption that are
available to all who seek Him.
Who could have ever envisioned such a remarkable and
intricate plan, daring to trust in its potential for success? Only God! In His
boundless wisdom, He orchestrates our redemption not merely as a gift, but as a
divine strategy to stir a sense of longing and jealousy within the hearts of
the Jewish people. This profound feeling plays a crucial role, drawing them
back into a closer relationship with Him, inviting them to embrace the same
overflowing mercy and grace that we have been privileged to receive. By
awakening their awareness of FOMO (what they may be missing), God seeks to
inspire a profound reconciliation with His chosen people, ultimately leading to
a deeper connection and understanding of His love.
Of course, there is more to this process than just invoking jealousy in the hearts of the Jews; there is also a move of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and minds, revealing that Jesus is their true Messiah and the fulfillment of everything promised to them. But who has known the mind of the Lord, or better yet, who has counseled Him to put this process into action? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? The question as well as the answer is rhetorical—nobody! Here is an amazing insight into the mind of God: all things come from and through Him, and to Him all things come into being, both thought and matter.
Paul seizes the moment to convey his profound admiration and
heartfelt praise for the Lord with the powerful declaration, “To Him be glory
forever.” This statement underscores a central truth: that both humanity and
the vast expanse of creation are intricately crafted by God with the primary
purpose of glorifying Him. When we begin to truly recognize and embrace this
fundamental reality, we can confidently assert that everything we encounter
originates from God’s intentional and loving hand.
Moreover, the ultimate aim of all that exists—every star in the sky, every blade of grass, and every heartbeat—is to reflect and reveal God’s boundless glory. This is true even when life’s circumstances appear baffling or beyond our limited comprehension. By acknowledging this deeper purpose, we open ourselves to the awe-inspiring beauty of creation and the intricate tapestry of life, which serve as powerful testimonies to God’s greatness. This understanding invites us to trust in His divine plan, reassuring us that even in the midst of confusion, there is a grand design, beckoning us to recognize the eternal significance of glorifying our Creator.
When we face persecution—whether it’s through ridicule, discrimination, or even physical violence—we can easily fall into the mindset that God cannot possibly be glorified in this type of abuse. However, this perspective is fundamentally flawed. God’s glory shines brightly amid our trials, revealing itself through the profound work He is doing within us as He forms our character and cultivates the mind of Christ within us.
The circumstances surrounding us may feel overwhelming or
oppressive, casting shadows over our minds. Yet, what is unfolding internally
is a beautiful and transformative process. As we endure difficulties, we become
more resilient, compassionate, and filled with a deep understanding of God’s
love and purpose. This internal growth is not merely a temporary state; it is a
lasting change that enriches our lives and draws us closer to God.
As we hold steadfast in our believing loyalty to the truth that
Jesus is our ultimate treasure and eternal hope, this inner transformation
remains protected. No external hardship can diminish the glory and strength
that God is cultivating within us. Our faith, when tested, becomes a testimony
of His goodness and a source of inspiration to others, further magnifying His
glory in a world that desperately needs to see it.
I, for one, had not fully grasped how the disobedience of
the Jewish people played a critical role in paving the way for our salvation as
Gentiles. Their unwillingness for most Jews to embrace the teachings of Christ set in motion
a powerful unfolding of God’s divine plan, allowing us to experience His
profound grace and mercy—experiences that might have otherwise remained hidden from us. This disobedience was not simply a lack of faith; instead, it became
a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of salvation that God wove together. Through
their rejection of the Messiah, a radiant light emerged that illuminated the
path for us, revealing the depth of God’s love for all humanity. It served as a
heartfelt invitation to the Jewish people to reevaluate and rediscover the
Messiah they desperately need. Thus, I stand in deep gratitude for their
disobedience, as it provided a unique opportunity for us to witness the
boundless nature of God’s grace and His unwavering desire for every soul,
including those Jews who initially turned away from Him, to find true redemption
through Jesus Christ.
Stephen Barnett
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