Life for the Nations
After his resurrection, Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations!” As the Lord and Sovereign over all things, he dispatched his disciples as his messengers to proclaim his lordship and the Good News of salvation to the “uttermost parts of the Earth.”
Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the era of salvation commenced, and the offer of reconciliation and life made to all men will continue to be heard on the Earth until the “arrival” of the Son of Man at the end of the age.
 |
| [Photo by James Douglas on Unsplash] |
God exalted Jesus of Nazareth to the Messianic throne where he now reigns over all things, just as promised in the Scriptures: “I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession” – (Psalm 2:8).
Because of his enthronement, he is empowering his disciples to announce his Good News to the entire planet. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the Earth” – (Acts 2:8).
For this reason, the day is coming when the entire creation will proclaim him worthy to rule over the Universe: “You are worthy to take the Scroll and open its seals BECAUSE you were slain and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and made them a kingdom, priests for our God, and they reign upon the Earth” - (Revelation 5:9-10).
Because of his sacrifice for others, God raised him from the dead and “highly exalted, granting him the name that is above every name,” – JESUS – The one who will reign on the Davidic Throne forever – (Philippians 2:6-11, Revelation 3:21, 5:5-14).
NO DISTINCTION
In Jesus of Nazareth, the one God who created all men has “spoken” definitively and with great finality, especially in his death and resurrection. The words given previously “in the prophets” were true enough, but partial and preparatory. It is His Son alone who “achieved the purification of sin,” therefore, he now sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on High places” as the Great High Priest who mediates life for his people. Only Jesus attained the salvation that was foretold by the “prophets” – (Hebrews 1:1-4).
Therefore, the “righteousness of God” is now available to all men “through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe, FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION.” The offer of salvation is open to all men and women because of the faithful obedience of Jesus – (Romans 3:21-22).
Sin is the Great Leveler that previously condemned everyone to bondage, decay, hopelessness, and death. In the end, one’s ethnicity or economic status made no difference. Death awaited every man and every woman.
Because of his self-sacrificial death, anyone may now receive right standing before God, and on the same basis, whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, poor or rich; namely, “from the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST.” In response to his faithful act, the penitent man or woman is acquitted by God by placing faith in Jesus and what God accomplished in him.
In his declaration to the churches of Rome, the Apostle Paul employed his RADICAL MONOTHEISM to confirm the point. The one God of Israel is the God of both Jews and Gentiles. No man or woman is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of biological descent or national origin:
- “Or is He the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles also, if so be that GOD IS ONE, and he will justify the circumcision from faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith” – (Romans 3:29-30).
THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD
Ever since His Son “achieved the purification of sins” through his death, a sacrifice validated by God when He raised Jesus from the dead, the Almighty has been CREATING A NEW COMMUNITY composed of men and women redeemed by the blood of Jesus from every nation.
- “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” - (1 Peter 2:9).
In the preceding passage, each noun is in the SINGULAR number – one priesthood, one nation, one people. Regardless of anyone’s nationality, in Jesus, God is forming repentant men and women into one new humanity conformed to the image of His Son.
Every person who places faith in Jesus and submits to his rule becomes a member of this community and a “priest” in His Kingdom who is then tasked with mediating and reflecting the light of the Gospel in a dark world – (Ephesians 2:15).
No nation, civilization, or political ideology can claim Jesus as its exclusive property. His announcement of salvation is a message of life for EVERY man, woman, and child on the planet, therefore, the message of Jesus transcends all national and cultural boundaries.
His domain is a UNIVERSAL kingdom, and he and his priestly representatives proclaim one message to and for all humanity.
Since this Gospel is for everyone, in the truest sense, it is a universal faith. All men have sinned. Every man needs salvation and everlasting life. No one deserves it, but God graciously offers it to everyone “freely” throughout the Earth. Finally, it is offered on the same basis to each of us, from the faith of Jesus Christ and faith in him.
