Who Will Sit at the Table?

Church family:
Does listening to the news get you confused about Israel and even the Gentiles? Put simply, God chose Israel as the instrument through whom He would bring His salvation to the nations. God’s purpose was never limited to one nation. He gave Israel His promises and His Word, and through Israel He would bring forth the Messiah. What began with God’s covenant with Abraham would ultimately reach people from every nation – the Gentiles - through Jesus Christ (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8-9,16).
That worldwide purpose comes into focus when Jesus encounters a Roman centurion—a Gentile who believes in Him. Jesus says, “Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Jesus is pointing to the fulfillment of God’s earliest promise: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
The centurion gives us a picture of that promise becoming reality. He was not an Israelite, yet he trusted Jesus. And Jesus declares that people from every direction will one day join Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the kingdom feast. The Gentiles do not replace Abraham’s family; through Christ, they would be brought into the family of God. That is the beauty of the gospel. You do not have to be born Jewish, come from the right family, or possess an impressive spiritual résumé. You cannot earn your place at the table. Like the centurion, you come to Jesus with empty hands, acknowledging your need and trusting His mercy: “I am not worthy” (Matthew 8:8).
The story that began with Abraham continues today. Jesus is gathering people to Himself from every people and place, and He has given His Church the privilege of carrying that gospel to the nations: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
And one day, God’s promise to bless and redeem the nations through Abraham’s offspring, Jesus Christ, will reach its glorious conclusion: “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, (Revelation 7:9).
Think frequently about the story:
God promised Abraham that the nations would be blessed.
Israel was chosen to carry that promise.
Jesus came through Israel to fulfill that promise.
The gospel is now going to the nations.
One day, people from every nation will gather around Jesus to worship Him.
And by God’s grace, we get to be part of that story.
So don't keep the gospel to yourself. The people around you are among those Jesus came to save and have the blessing of eating with Him at His table. The promise that began with Abraham has reached us through Christ and He now calls us to carry that good news to others.
See you Sunday, Steve