SCRIPTURE: Luke 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. [Luke 2:29-32] There is a saying, ‘how odd of God to choose the Jews’. I do not see this with anti-Semitic thoughts, but rather with curiosity as to why God would focus His global efforts on one nation. Is God only concerned about the Jewish nation? Are the gentiles runner-ups in God’s favouritism contest? Jesus was Jewish, is that because God likes the Jews better?

Obviously the answer is NO, at least to me. But it is understandable how some Jews mistook God’s favour as a sign that they were His favourites. They saw the idea of ‘election’ (being chosen by God) as a privilege, a special status. Rather than a responsibility. And that is what it was supposed to be. In a world of rebellion and immorality, God chose one people to open the way for all people. And from that one people, He raised up one person, again to open the way for all people. Jesus is not for the Jews alone, but for all people: salvation… in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. As the angel declared, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [Luke 2:10]

From the early beginnings of the nation of Israel (now identified as Jews), the intent was to be a blessing to all nations [Genesis 12:2]. Through His called servants (the root meaning of ‘elect’ is the called ones), He would bring peace to the whole earth, to all men on whom His favour rests [Luke 2:14]. Who are these people, just the Jews? No, everyone who humbles themselves before God, from every tribe and nation [Revelation 5:9,7:9]. When Jesus defeats the devil on the cross and receives all authority in heaven and on earth, He sends His disciples into the whole earth, to make disciples of all nations [Matthew 28:18-20].

Jesus belongs to everyone, of every culture, of every background. Jesus belongs to sinners, not just Jews or evangelicals or church-goers. Jesus is the answer for all people. We may fault the Jews for becoming self-absorbed, and forgetting their calling, but is the church today any different? Don’t we spend most of our time and resources and efforts in the church, for the church? Jesus challenges me to look beyond my own ‘circle’, to see the people around me, where He is working, loving, rescuing. Will I join Him in unleashing peace on earth, to all the people He favours?

PRAYER:
Lord, refresh my priorities to match Yours!