He May Have Chosen the Israelites, But……

God’s heart is for all people. He may have chosen the Israelites to usher in His plan, but it has always included Gentiles. Here in Matthew chapter 8 we get solid evidence for this truth. We find a Roman officer pleading with Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus was amazed to see such faith in a non-Jewish pagan. Then He tells the crowd that gentiles will share in the kingdom of Heaven as well. God loves people, especially those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. He will always honor those that honor Him.

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with Him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”10 When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world–from east and west–and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.12 But many Israelites–those for whom the Kingdom was prepared–will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:5-13