Joyful Gentiles

"Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people." (Romans 15:10)

Delight comes in unexpected packages. Waterfalls that cascade with unrestrained tumbling in the sunlight, collecting in mossy pools and spilling over rock terraces. A day becomes a gift when the horizon is stretched wide, unhindered, clouds piled high and riding on the breeze. On any given day I can "wax lyrical" about the wonders of these mountain slopes, but never more so than on an unashamedly brilliant early summer's day. Surrounded by the scent of indigenous herbs and flowers released by the heat of the mid-day sun, topped by the earthy notes of forest undergrowth. There is always more to delight in and all the more to a discerning eye. Eyes trained to notice the dart of an unusual butterfly, a speck of colour revealing a rare wild flower, the spoor of an elusive wild animal. What often remains out of sight, can be heard, when we are willing to listen. The distinctive call of the jackal buzzard, the raucous sound of the Cape Parrot. When all this can be experienced in the company of dear friends in shared reverence for the Creator who spoke all these things into being, the joy is complete.

But delight can be found alone with Jesus in a quiet room, in a new understanding, an unexpected revelation. It can be a moment of sweetness or a turning point. While I read and re-read Romans 15 last week, a new light fell on words that never held much meaning for me before. The first place I was made to hesitate was at verse 8, where Paul writes: "For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed". In Matthew 15:24 Jesus himself says to the disciples, imploring Him to deal with a persistent Canaanite woman: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel". So how did I end up being included into the covenant that God made with the people of Israel? Verse 9 deepens the mystery by starting in the middle of a sentence with so that...

Jesus came to minister to the Jews in obedience to God his Father and in keeping with the covenant that the Father made with his chosen people. But His own people did not accept Him as their Saviour. The ministry was extended to all nations - so that the Gentiles (us) may glorify Him (the Father) for His mercy. I love the "so thats" and the "therefore's" in Scripture. More simply - the adverbs. When my little ones bring me dandelions and periwinkle flowers from the garden it always brings a smile to my face, therefore they know that I love and appreciate the gift. They bring it to me so that I may know that they love me. God never leaves us in the dark in his Word. If we truly seek His heart, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to us, even in a book like Romans, often perceived as a legalistic treatise rather than a book of hope, truth and practical instruction.

We may glorify Him for his mercy... What did His mercy afford us, the foreign branches from a barren tree? We where picked up and gently grafted into the true vine, reaching deep, thirsting for the sap, the life. With His sacrifice, Jesus literally "purchased" us with His blood into a new covenant - bringing us in right standing with the Father. Into His Kingdom, heirs without a birthright. Adopted into a life of hope. When Jesus lifted us up to the Father as a love offering, we were made acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Why did the Father show us this mercy? Was it truly only because of his unfathomable love? Paul continues in verse 9 with: "as it is written:" and then refers to four different places in the Old Testament, revealing the same reason for our salvation. Digging a bit deeper, I paged back to one of these quotes in Deut 32:43.: "Rejoice, O nations (Gentiles) with His people (the Jews), for He will avenge the blood of His servants". Another translation says "Make His people rejoice". How on earth do we make His people rejoice? No-one needs to make us wave our arms and cheer when the Bokke claim a victory, but to convince people, (and more specifically his chosen nation) to throw their arms up and cheer (rejoice) for Jesus' victory is another story.

I so clearly remember when I first slipped into the seat of my "new" and long sought after set of wheels. I turned the key and marveled at the familiar purr of the old VW Beetle engine. I could not wait to drive it out the gate, waving at neighbours, seeking out friends. Making them envious of my new-found freedom.



If we, as Gentiles, glorify the Father in the sense that we shower Him with adoring praise, honour, recognition and worshipful thanksgiving for His mercy, it could serve the purpose of provoking His chosen people, who have not acknowledged the new covenant of freedom, to envy. Not only did Christ confirm the promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), but His blood brought in a new covenant. It confirms and sets free, with such amazing grace, it remains "unreal" to many.

(I was also reminded that we need to honour the fact that the Jews are God's chosen people and be obedient to the purpose set before us, for "He will avenge the blood of His servants".)

The mystery is not that the Gentiles were saved. This was also prophesied in Isaiah. The true mystery is that we have become fellow heirs with Jewish believers, fellow members of the body of Christ and fellow partakers of the covenant promises to Israel! We now share in the spiritual riches God gave His chosen people because of His covenant with Abraham. We are now part of the one body of Christ, each individual member with its own unique purpose, sharing in the ministry ("...we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love" Eph 4:15-16).

There are four great unconditional covenants of promise to Israel, including the future restoration of Israel during the millennium, and although they were specifically given to Israel (Romans 9:1-6), the church does and will still benefit from them since they are in union with Christ, who is the ruler of Israel.

I must admit, this is still often too "huge" to truly make my own. How did I end up worthy of a crown when I have no royal bloodline? How did I end up being part of the true and living Vine, when my branch was withered and worthless? How did I end up with a room in the eternal mansion for which I paid no deposit, laid down no payment? Through God's great mercy and the loving obedience of his Son. What is simple enough to grasp is that I have been saved to bring Him glory, to rejoice, to sing praises. Right now that seems like the most natural thing to do - don't you think?

"The root of Jesse will spring up, One who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:12-13)