God's Plan For Oneness - Jews & Gentiles Together
God's Plan for Oneness
One of the most beautiful portions of Scripture tells us about the relationship God intended between Jewish and Gentile believers! God's plan is to have one family, made up of all those who receive Jesus as Messiah by faith -- Jew and Gentile. It is a family made from every tribe, tongue and nation.
The New Testament explains God's desire that we would be one family. In John 10:15-16, Jesus makes this statement:
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 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.
This discussion was with the Pharisees-to the Jews. Jesus has sheep in the Jewish flock. The "other sheep which are not of this fold" are the Gentile believers. Gentiles are not in the Jewish flock. However, there will be one flock and one shepherd. Jesus is the great shepherd of one flock.
Both the flock of sheep and the olive tree illustrate God's desire that Jewish and Gentile believers would be one family.
Our Responsibility to the Jewish People
Romans 11:11-12 asks and answers the questions: ...Have they {the Jews} stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Gentile believers, therefore, have a responsibility to make the Jewish people envious. The purpose is that they will see strong and beautiful Gentile relationships with God and want the same. They should be scratching their heads that many believers know their Scriptures better than they do. They should be looking at us quizzically when we tell them we pray for them. They should watch with wonder as they see Gentile believers doing great deeds for others. But most of all, they should be absolutely jealous as they observe us exalting the name of God and worshipping Him with all of our hearts! They should hear about how blessed we feel because we have received the richness of salvation!
How are we doing?