Thursday: Lord of the Gentiles
Read Matthew 15:29-39 and compare it with Matthew 14:13-21. What are the similarities and the differences between the two stories?
Many people don’t realize that there are two feedings of the multitudes in the Gospels: the first for the Jews, the second for the Gentiles. In both instances, Jesus has “compassion” for the people.
Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com
It’s amazing, this image of thousands of Gentiles coming out to be taught, loved, and fed by this young Rabbi. Today, looking back and understanding the universality of the gospel (after all most people reading this right now are not Jews), we can easily miss just how incredible and unexpected something like this must have appeared to the people, both to the Jews and to the Gentiles. No question, Jesus was surely taking everyone out of their comfort zones.
Yet, this was always God’s plan, to draw all peoples of the earth to Him. A startling verse in the Hebrew Scriptures testifies to this truth: “‘Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites? … Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?’” (Amos 9:7, NIV).
What is God saying here? That He’s interested in the affairs of not only Israel but of all people? He’s interested in Philistines? A careful reading of the Old Testament reveals this truth over and over, even though it had become so obscure through the centuries that, by the time the New Testament church was formed, many of the early believers had to learn this basic biblical truth.
| Read Romans 4:1-12. In what ways is the gospel, and the universality of the gospel, captured in these verses? |
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John 3:16 For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. It does not say the "Jews only", because Christ is the savior of all human kind. Everyone that is born to our planet needs a savior to be rescued from the death sentence that we all received when we were conceived. Just as we need to eat to stay physically alive, We also need a savior thru all our life, because only when we abide in Christ can we receive eternal life.
Esther
Praise God indeed that Abraham is the father of all who have faith in Jesus. Jew or gentile. Oh that God may grant us a faith like that of Abraham.
Jesus came and die for all! Thank you Jesus!!! We all have the hope of eternal life.
We may not be Jews, but we must be careful to refrain from falling into B.C. Jewish characteristics. Lets not pride ourselves in being Gentiles so much that we take on hypocritic hearts. Lets just know the Shepard. Then we take on His righteousness and have His merits.
Yes John,
"Do not boast over those branches (Israel that has stumbled). If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you." Romans 11:18
Thanks God for His love and mercy for me.
your words were sweet in my mouth.light shineth brighter and brighter
In this world everybody are mess up. We aren't perfect, we make mistakes but the Lord's grace is bigger than our sins.
Shepherd! Thanks for His Love.
I think the Lord's Grace is strong enough to give us the ability to stop sinning as well as to give us forgiveness.
His character is within our reach by His Grace.
So thankful to God my Father for His marvelous grace and mercy He has bestowed upon me His daughter. I once was lost but my heavenly Father sought me out and delivered me from my burden of sin and brought forgiveness to my heart and soul.
I love the condescension of Paul in Romans 4. Here he is plainly saying "Abraham was reckoned for by faith when he was yet uncircumcised. "How do we reconcile this this with uncircumcised Abraham himself? Paul gives us a clear answer. Abraham is the Father of all. Wether uncircumcised or not. Wether Jewish or not. Why? he has both circumcision and uncircumcision because he has faith, hence righteousness. I thank God for making this idea transcendent over most what people would think.
Did God remove the curse on us Cushites as he said he will curse the father and all his generations. I wonder if myself as an African is still under that curse?
Jesus took on the full curse upon himself at the cross for all. It is a finished work of Jesus the messiah, by grace for anyyone who believes on him as their savior, may claim. Jesus exchanged his eternal life to cover the curse of sin in taking on Curse of God in our place for each and everyone to be freed of the consequence. That means a kushite who believes in the redeemer savior in Jesus as Messiah is covered.
during the time of Jesus Christ on earth the most mission accomplished is to reach out people: helping them, solving problems, feeding them, I think this is the most things Jesus Christ did during his time on earth, he did those things to draw people close to him and also won their hearts. my own moral lesson in this, is for us to help each other in around us, neighbors and friends solve their problems if you have enough, help them tell them that Jesus loves doing this you win their also bring souls to Jesus Christ this is my word of advice to you brethren. God bless you all in Jesus name Amen. still your brother. MUNACHIMSO (GODWIN)
There is no other man recorded in the history of mankind like Jesus who came to reconcile man/all people. Jews and Gentiles were all reconciled to Him, the ONLY Way, the Truth and the Life. All who came concurred and destroyed and never recovered. Jesus came from Heaven and brought the message of reconciliation in self and with your/our neighbor, wait for Him in readiness. Isn't it any wonder the Devil Satan is taking his best and the last chance to destroy what he cannot defend for he knows he has lost. He says in the movie thriller, "I don't know if victory is possible. All I want is your total commitment to the last man!" So look to the Lord of the Universe to come in victory.
My hope is built on nothing less, for i pray that my faith will be strong and firm in him who is able to heal and save me
If we look at these two verses Jesus gave all of them the same love the way he did to the Jews is the same way he did to gentiles the different only to the gentiles he started to heal people then he gave them something to eat Amen
He is the Lord of ALL.