This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel …
Summary: Looking back over the history of the Israelites, it is easy to see why the idea of God extending salvation to the Gentiles seemed like a “mystery.”
What do you call something that doesn’t make any sense? Have you ever experienced something that seemed impossibly crazy? When it was all done, have you ever shrugged your shoulders while saying, “That was a mystery!”
For over two thousand years, the Hebrew descendants of Abraham’s son Isaac have considered themselves God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). They have been set apart by God, whether they liked it or not. Through the centuries, the collective experiences of the Jews resulted in a distinctive worldview different from all other peoples. Come what may, in good times and bad, the Jews are God’s people.
Then along came Jesus.
By the time Jesus showed up, the Jewish nation was in tatters. After the reign of Solomon, the nation was torn in two. The northern kingdoms immediately turned their backs on God so they could worship Jeroboam’s golden calves. These clans were the first to go into exile, only to be replaced by foreigners who did not know God. These people, known as Samaritans, came to understand God had to be worshiped but only saw him as one among many “gods.”
Years later, having rebelled against God during the time of the kings, the Temple was destroyed, and Judah was sent into exile for seventy years. When a remnant returned to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem, things were not the same. They would never be the same as they had been before.
By the time Jesus came to save us, all that was left of God’s people was a shadow of its former self. Israel was a community of people governed by Rome. The religious leaders of the day were legalistic and self-serving. Even so, they had their pride. The Jews were still the chosen people.
Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was raised in the equivalent of a Jewish ghetto. Nazareth was in the Samaritan part of the country north of Jerusalem. Surrounded by Gentiles, the people of Nazareth recognized God and worshiped at the temple, but they were not considered as good as the Jews who lived in Judea. (John 1:46)
When Jesus began his ministry, the fact that he was from the area of Galilee seemed to disqualify him as a candidate for the Messiah. After Jesus was raised from the dead, he made it clear that he didn’t die to save just a few Jews. He wanted to save everyone! (John 3:14-15)
How is this possible?
For someone raised as a Jew believing Jews are “God’s chosen people,” and trained as a Pharisee, believing salvation was a function of the law, including the Gentiles in salvation was … impossible. Yet, here was Paul, “Hebrew of Hebrews,”(Philippians 3:5) finding himself the Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:8). What was he to think?
This is a mystery!
Application: God’s love and grace extend to all the world. Be careful not to put limits on what God can do.
Food for Thought: From a Gentile perspective, why is God’s love still a mystery?
Both of my sisters are adopted. I’m the youngest, so when I was born they were already in the family. I feel no difference, but they sometimes struggle with their adoption. To put it nicely, they feel a bit like an outsider, and view my brother and I as a “lineage child.” We were not loved differently, but when we start talking about great-grand relatives, I sense a sort of quiet absence in their heart.
As a father, I subconsciously view my line through my two son’s future children. I don’t actively consider that adoption may bring that to fruition. I don’t think many men or women would.
The mystery of Gods love is a little like what I described above, to me. Being “born” into God’s chosen people verses being adopted.
The difference though, to me, and looking at it from that place of “quiet absence” of my sisters, is that God didn’t adopt me into His family by “shopping around” for “a girl or boy” with a “type in mind.” He did not choose one over another because of behavior types, hair color, skin tone, or genetic disposition, He chose me, and He allowed me to choose Him.
Now thats the real mystery. And I’m not indulging in self-pity here when I say this, but, me, the worst of them all.
God’s grace is so good, because His love is so great, that He gave everything (His only Son) to bring the worst back to Him.
Thank you Lord.
CH,
Thank you for sharing this story! It is powerful and deeply touching. It also brings into focus our situation as Gentiles, being adopted into God’s family, yet at the same time, we are genetically his as well. Another mystery! 🙂
From a Gentile perspective, why is God’s love still a mystery?
God’s love might not be fully known, felt, or told to a Gentile. Much like an orphan or outlasted child always seeing what other kids have in the kindness from their parents but yet never really being able to feel that themselves from either parent would leave that person never really understanding that side of love. Then without being taught how to love by example and what it feels like to be loved how is that person to know Love. If that person knows nothing of a father’s Love for them, then he might not have a broken thoughts of what a perfect Father in Heaven might be. He might not be capable of accepting love. Loving someone with all your heart, mind, and strength could be a mystery when they don’t know love.
Tim,
What a great point! Knowing a parent’s love isn’t guaranteed by being of the same bloodline. The Father’s love is overwhelming and unconditional. It is something that transcends any question of belonging.
Thank God that “That Jesus came around” . Great reminder and encouragement, Jeff!
Thanks, Jim! 🙂
Very interesting and good perspectives already in this thread – and it is only 6:30 am.
Acts 13: 42 – 52 is interesting to me as it demonstrates the response by both Jew and Gentile to the gospel. The Jews were jealous but to the Gentiles there was now hope where there had been no hope before. The Gentiles rejoiced at the word of the Lord and their inclusion in God’s plan. What was revealed was a surprise to them, but a cause of great rejoicing.
God’s love for all people is a mystery until it is revealed to them. This is why mission and evangelism is so important. All people need to know. And hopefully all of us who respond will rejoice in our salvation. It is a great gift and should be celebrated daily.
Brother,
What a great perspective. Thank you! Yes, the Good News of Jesus Christ is worth sharing in a joyous and loving way! 🙂
05-12-2023, From a Gentile perspective, why is God’s love still a mystery?
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 3:21-25
We cannot define God or provide a comprehensive account of who He is. He “dwells in unapproachable light”. If God is incomprehensible, then so is His love.
1 Timothy 6:16
God and His ways are a mystery to the limited understanding of ALL MANKIND. Each will understand only to the degree the Holy Spirit reveals His truths to each.
God is Love, and His love endures forever. Psalm 100:5, 106:1,136:1
Knowing God is love, all those who do not love, do not know God.
1 John 4:8-10
Some limit these verses to the twelve tribes of Israel, others to the nations who join themselves to Israel, some to Christian believers, and some to all the peoples of the earth. Therefore we have a mystery to all who have not received and responded to the understanding provided by the Holy Spirit of God.
Ron,
I love how you remind us of the majesty and power of God and how that, by itself, is enough reason to declare our God a mystery! 🙂