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Romans 11:13-15
The Apostle Paul declares to us in Romans 11:13 (NKJV) that he is “an apostle to the Gentiles,”. He has an increase in his ministry as the desired result is not only to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, but that by doing so would arouse the hardened hearts of the Jews to, if nothing more, jealousy that would bring them to a desire to accept the Messiah – to accept Jesus as the prophesied Messiah that they have been long awaiting to save them.
When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan/Gentile woman at the well in John 4, the result is recorded in John 4:42 (ESV), “They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” Paul is excited for his fellow Jews as he contemplates in Romans 11:15 (NKJV), “For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”
This is a great example of God’s plan of salvation for all people – in Christ.
God chose Israel to be His example to the world of putting their faith in Him and the blessings that they would incur from doing so, but in showing the world of our deficiencies in obtaining a right state with God from our own doing, He allowed the Israelites to prove this to all the world. But God’s plan is not to fail; He promised a Savior to make things right for His chosen people who have tried so hard to please Him yet failed.
The shedding of blood is the requirement for the atonement of sin (Leviticus 17:11), and the blood of the Savior must be shed to make atonement for the sins of all people, and in doing so, it was only right that Jews and Gentiles be a part of the crucifixion – that all peoples would be represented at the saving act of God to also be a part of the saving grace of God. In the resurrection of Jesus is shown God’s almighty power and sovereignty, not just powerful enough to save the Jews but also powerful enough to save all of mankind. God has no limits and His plan of salvation for all who will put their faith in Him has no flaws; it is perfect in design to set the example for the whole world to see, and to save the whole world from sin and death by breaking once for all the chains that Satan holds us in, that we may experience true love and eternal forgiveness – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
We stand in awe of Your great plan of salvation for all of humanity, that we too would be included in Your saving grace to save even us, the Gentiles, from sin and grant us everlasting life in Christ Jesus; that You are not limited in Your power to save only the example, but that Your great love for all humanity is found in putting our faith in Christ Jesus that You would use, even us, to provoke those who have hardened hearts to You to return to You and save the world from sin. In Jesus name I pray, amen.