Gentile Revolution

Our mission for the rest of this week gives special focus on the Magi and their epiphany. However, before we proceed on this mission, we need to spend a little time on facts about Gentiles.

These are some pertinent facts which we must keep to the forefront of our understanding and very dear in our hearts at all times. We must be mindful that we are talking about Gentiles and see how closely joined many of us are with them. In the time of Jesus Gentiles were:-

• People who were not Jews.

• People to whom the Law of Moses was not given.

• People with absolutely no hope, as they were all seen by Jews as defiled, unclean, written off people.

• People with whom Jews would not associate, whether socially or spiritually. 

• People for whom salvation was altogether impossible, without becoming a Jew and obeying Jewish laws, if that were possible.

However, when Jesus came, Immanuel, the name of Gentiles was given place, prominent place as well. The name of Gentiles rang out in the Christmas narrative, as God gave hope, meaning, beauty and inclusion to Gentiles. He made Jew and Gentile One, with the Coming of Messiah, Saviour of humankind. Let’s highlight some occasions when the name of Gentile was heard loudly and clearly in the Advent of Jesus’ First Coming to earth. These testify to the sure inclusion of Gentiles, spoken of: -

In positive, not negative light.

In living, not dead terms.

In light giving, not darkness sealing,

In inclusive language, not excluding words.

In embracing love, not dismissing hatred.

Here are the very familiar words of the angel to the shepherds, who are out in the fields at night, tending their flocks.  He told them not to be afraid of him and what they were experiencing, because he had come to them with Good News from heaven. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2: 10b.  Will not the phrase, all the people, include Gentiles also?  If we know God at all we know that He has included in His earthly message, Gentiles also. The mere fact that God chose to first bring the Good News to shepherds, Jews yes, but people who were outcasts, shown very scanty courtesy, and who were not respected as people of any standing in society, gives us enough evidence of the heart and mind of Sovereign, Creator God, for the ostracized.

As we are given more understanding and wisdom, it is being woven deeper and deeper within us that when Messiah came in the form of a human Babe, it was God Himself who came. God came incarnate, in flesh, and lived among us. Has not John spelt this out profoundly for us, when he states this divine mystery? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1: 1. Visibly stated is that God is the Word. Then John takes us further in this mystery, to know that the Word became flesh, God became flesh. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1: 14a. Clearly then, God, the Word, became flesh and lived among us.  Do you think that God, in Christ Jesus, came and only dwelt among the Jews? Even in the Word made flesh, the Name given to Him, the Name of Jesus, Gentiles are included.

When an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and explained to him all of God’s divine plan in getting Mary, his betrothed, pregnant, the angel told Joseph, you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21b. Who were the people of Jesus? They certainly were not exclusively the Jewish people.  Do you really think that Jesus, Son of the Living God, came only to save Jews? Has not Jesus called the poor, the outcast, the sick, the marginalized, the ostracized, the sinner, the publican, the unclean, the leper and more to Him, to help and save them? Indeed, in the Word made flesh, the Name Jesus, Saviour of the World, Gentiles are most present.    

Tomorrow, we shall carry on where we left off.