Chapter 16 - Into All the World

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 brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34; NKJV)

What in the world do Jesus' words to the city He loved so much have to do with Paul and his extraordinary commitment to bring the Gospel to the world - the Gentiles? Well, as I read through this chapter, I was drawn back to these words and to thoughts of a chosen people. Drane briefly introduces us to the churches that Paul and Barnabas seeded as they travelled through Cyprus, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and back to Syria. The author says that "as a result of Paul's visits to these [areas], many Gentiles came to believe in Jesus Christ. (p. 293) But not long on his heals came "emissaries from the Jerusalem church" (p. 293) who came to tear down the work that Paul and Barnabas had done. For these "judaizers" true Christian faith in God still relied on being a part of the Abrahamic community. For me, this is where Jesus' earlier words come into significance.

The children of Abraham were God's chosen people, His special children. To the patriarch a blessing had been given, and through his line the world would be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3) And true enough, God had made covenant with the Hebrew people - one that included Law and sacrifice. This people would remain close to their God and to each other through the keeping of the Law, including the holy days and rituals - including circumcision. But Abraham's children didn't honor God as He had desired. The rituals that were intended to bind together, the people used to separate. Religious and social classes, afforable and "more" pleasing sacrifices created castes and God would look upon it no more. (Amos 5:21-26) Their religious, political, and social appetites became far more important to them than proper relationships with their Creator.

Jesus, God, has always had a special heart for the children of Abraham. Jerusalem should have been the real "city on a hill," but it just wasn't that way. Jesus told a parable of a wedding banquet. (Matthew 22:1-14) As you remember the point of Christ's story that day, aren't you so glad that God didn't waste the feast - that He sent for those who were not originally invited to join in the celebration. But Christ's words that day He was entering Jerusalem betray the hurt that God feels for the wounded relationship between Him and His chosen people.

In the banquet parable, the king sends his messengers into the streets to find anyone who wants to come - come freely - as they were. How could these newly invited guests have been prepared in the same way as those who had received an invitation days, weeks, months earlier. They would have no special gift. They could buy no new clothes - only wear the best of what they owned. In short, they were not the same people who the king had originally invited - but now, they were just as welcomed. They weren't asked to change themselves - being in the king's presence would be enough to bring about desired results. And maybe all this (and more) is why I think of the tears of the King, as He ponders the future of His beloved city. Then I think of His wonderful banquet, and I thank Him so much that He sent His servant Paul into the streets of the world to find those of us who were not originally invited.