Grace. Unmerited. Undeserved.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
It was always the plan of God that Gentiles would be included in the salvation of Jesus Christ. Nothing is left to chance in Him. From Adam to Abraham there was basically one Adamic race. The lineage of Adam continued in his son Seth. Only a remnant were left by the time of Noah. By the time of Abraham there was only his lineage that believed in God. Without God in their lives, without Jesus and His work of the Cross, there was no hope.
Exodus 11:6-10 there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. 7 But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will go out.” Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. 9 But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Israel was to be a chosen nation above all the other nations of the world. God put a difference between them and the nations of the Gentile world. The oracles of God were given to them. They were a sacred, called out, nation.
Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’
If the nation of Israel would keep the covenants of God they would be above all people. All the earth belongs to Him and He is in total control. They would be a nation set apart for Him. The 12 tribes of Israel are the Jews of the circumcised. The rest of the world are Gentiles and the uncircumcised.
Isaiah 42:1
Behold!
My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
Until the resurrection and the salvation of the Cross and the rejection of Jesus by His chosen people the mystery of salvation for the Gentiles in the name of Jesus was hidden. The mystery would be revealed to the Apostle Paul, an apostle called in God’s perfect timing. To them salvation was given, a gift from God. Faith in Jesus alone would bring them near to God in His peace. Unmerited and undeserved grace came with shouts of Peace to the world.
Isaiah 42:6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
The Apostles became followers of the way. They believed in their Messiah, Jesus. After the persecution and the stoning of Stephen they scattered and preached to the Jews the arrival of their King, Jesus of Nazareth. Few accepted Him.
Matthew 9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Jesus came to His own and His own knew Him not!
Acts 9:10-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Then Jesus selected Paul, a devout Jew, an Apostle out of time, a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus, to preach to the Gentiles the message of the Cross. In Jesus, the gift of God, the message of salvation by faith alone was given. Faith in His name provided salvation to the rest of the world. John 3:16-18 Carla
Through Jesus’ words to Ananias, the significance of Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus is revealed. The street called Straight was a. major road in Damascus. Ananias is concerned; the Lord is sending him to a vicious persecutor of the church. There is irony surrounding the name of Jesus in His dialog with Ananias about Saul. Ananias objects that Saul has persecuted those who call on Jesus’ name (Acts 9:14); Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry that name to the Gentiles—and even suffer for it (verse 16). Faithlife Study Bible.
Not an apostle but a layman, a certain disciple … named Ananias was ready and available to be used by God. He did not know that God would send him to Saul, the man who had been vigorously persecuting the Christians. In ancient Damascus, the street called Straight went from one end of the city to the other. So far in Acts, Christians have been called “disciples,” “believers,” and those belonging to “the Way” (5:14; 6:1; 9:2). Here the word saints is used. It means those set apart by God for use in His service. The NKJV Study Bible
A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ’s feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation! Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
Acts 21:39–40 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Acts 22:3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Acts 25:22–23 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.
…remembering Macrina Wiederkehr’s affirmation, “When we reach out in compassion and love to other people, we are filling the space that surrounds them—and us—with love. We are creating a space of love. We are rooting ourselves in love and hospitality.” Sabbath Moments
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