Friday, January 17, 2014
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
THE SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS ... CAME AND WAS BORN TO SAVE EVEN THOSE WHO REJECT HIM
God doesn't play favorites. When God chose Israel to be the nation He would deliver and be a father to and convey his promises through, it was grace not favoritism. When the Messenger of the Covenant suddenly appeared in His temple, it was to manifest His grace, not play favorites. The Apostle John reports that He came to his own (John 1:11), but his own did not receive Him.
Christ didn't play favorites. Jesus didn't only proclaim Law and Gospel in Jerusalem, but also in Galilee and Samaria. Those who reject Him, whether Galilean, Judean, Samarian, or American are in the same boat, they all stand under the wrath and judgment of God.
The Savior of the Nations came to save even those who rejected Him. This is evident in the fact that Jesus reached out to those who rejected Him including Judas and Pilate, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Christ's amazing love even for those who reject Him was on display when He wept over unbelieving Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Let us also pray for those who reject Christ today. Yes, and more than pray, let's look for opportunities to speak to them. If they remain in their time of grace then Jesus still wants them, to gather them to Himself and to protect and save them.
