Jesus was concerned about the Gentiles during His Preaching

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p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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Sep 4, 2013
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I have seen some here say that Jesus was only preaching to/concerned with the Jews during His Ministry, but Scripture that I read shows that He was concerned about the Gentiles.

Obviously, the most discussed example of this is His meeting with the woman at the well. But, also in the Gospel of Matthew this is shown:

Matthew, Chapter 12:

18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Yes, most of His Ministry was with the Jews, but that is because God decreed that the Gospel would be given to the Jew FIRST and then the Gentiles. Jesus was fulfilling Gods decree, but in His heart and mind, He was very aware of the need the Gentiles had for the Gospel as well.

In 1 Timothy we find this nugget of concern for and love for "ALL".

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

I think of the song that says "When He was on the Cross, I was on His mind..." That's certainly true, but the TRUTH is, when He came to earth to preach His Gospel ALL mankind were on His mind.
 
We all know Jesus taught in Parables. Reading the Gospel of Matthew, in Chapter 20, Jesus taught about laborers who were paid a penny for their works. Those who came early to work were paid a penny. Those who came later on were also paid a penny, and those who came late in the day were also paid a penny. Each paid the same regardless of how long they had labored in the fields.

Those who came early in the day were not happy about those who came late in the day were paid the same even though they had not labored as long:

12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Jesus responded:

13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Reading this parable, I realized that this is the same as those who are saved. Some turn to Jesus early in life and serve the Kingdom all their lives. Some come to Jesus during their lives and serve the Kingdom the rest of their lives. And some turn to Jesus in the last days of their lives and serve the Kingdom for only a short time. Even if it be a deathbed conversion, they are still saved just as those who came early in their lives.

Is that not how salvation works? :)

Now, I will add this because the length of service does have it's reward.

Revelation, Chapter 22:

12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

2 Corinthians, Chapter 5:

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Salvation is given to all who confess the name of Jesus, but, I believe that Scripture says each will be rewarded according to their work for the Kingdom.
 
Jesus was only sent to the house of Israel and Judah. But after the new covenant was established with them for 7 years (3.5 by Jesus, 3.5 by the apostles) as prophesied by Daniel, then God sent Peter to open the door to the nations. So Jesus to Israel and the apostles to the world, but all one together in Jesus.
 
Mat_15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
 
There are not two gospels, one for the Jew brought by Christ and another for the Gentile brought by Paul. There is one gospel and one Savior. Christ is not divided (1 Corinthians 1). "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16
 
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p_rehbein said:
in His heart and mind, He was very aware of the need the Gentiles had for the Gospel as well.
Click to expand...
100% agree. I feel the same way about people all over the world; but I don't think anyone has the whole world as their mission field all at once.
 
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ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
Jesus was only sent to the house of Israel and Judah. But after the new covenant was established with them for 7 years (3.5 by Jesus, 3.5 by the apostles) as prophesied by Daniel, then God sent Peter to open the door to the nations. So Jesus to Israel and the apostles to the world, but all one together in Jesus.
Click to expand...

So, then, the woman at the well doesn't count? I stated that God ordained the Gospel would be preached to the Jews first, and THEN the Gentiles. What you seemed to have not understood is I stated that even though He did not go directly to the Gentiles, they were certainly on His mind from the beginning. Scripture I posted shows this to be true. Matthew, Chapter 12 reveals this perfectly.
 
timf said:
Mat_15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Jesus was being a real meannie, huh? Shoot, not healing the woman's daughter just becaue she wasn't Jewish........... (try reading verses 25 thru 28 for context prior to posting)

And, again, He spoke with the woman at the well, who believed in Him and went into her village and told all about what He had said. Some believed her, but some said they had to hear Him, so they went out to Him and then believed.

Wonder why Jesus did not simply dismiss the woman and the people and not bother speaking to them? I mean, they WERE NOT Jews....
 
 
p_rehbein said:
I have seen some here say that Jesus was only preaching to/concerned with the Jews during His Ministry, but Scripture that I read shows that He was concerned about the Gentiles.

Obviously, the most discussed example of this is His meeting with the woman at the well. But, also in the Gospel of Matthew this is shown:

Matthew, Chapter 12:

18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Yes, most of His Ministry was with the Jews, but that is because God decreed that the Gospel would be given to the Jew FIRST and then the Gentiles. Jesus was fulfilling Gods decree, but in His heart and mind, He was very aware of the need the Gentiles had for the Gospel as well.

In 1 Timothy we find this nugget of concern for and love for "ALL".

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

I think of the song that says "When He was on the Cross, I was on His mind..." That's certainly true, but the TRUTH is, when He came to earth to preach His Gospel ALL mankind were on His mind.
Click to expand...

Not only that, but God has always been concerned about all of humanity.
 
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