Jesus Among People of Other Races

WHEN Peter was in the home of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert to Christianity, and witnessed God’s acceptance of this devout man, which was later confirmed by the impartation of the Holy Spirit, he said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34,35) It required miracles to bring Peter to this viewpoint—first the vision that was given to him on the roof of Simon the tanner’s home, and then, Cornelius sending for him, and finally, the outward manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and “all them which heard the Word.”

The Jews had been schooled in the thought that they were the exclusive people of God—and this they were throughout the period of the Jewish age; that is, from the death of Jacob until the first advent of Jesus. As the natural seed of Abraham, God dealt with them as his chosen people—chosen to be the channel of blessing for all nations. They failed to qualify—to make their election sure to this high position in the divine plan—so through the Gospel there went out a general call to all nations to find those who would prove worthy of joint-heirship with Christ in his kingdom.

MARK 7:24-37—The incident recorded in this passage helps to illustrate the great dispensational change which occurred in God’s plan at the time of Christ. The Syrophenician woman was not, of course, a Jewess, and when she asked Jesus for the favor of casting out an evil spirit from her daughter, he raised the question as to the propriety of granting her request.

Jesus understood the plan of God and was guided by it in his ministry. He had explained to his disciples that he had not been sent but to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 15:24) When he sent his disciples into the ministry he said to them that they were not to go to the Gentiles, nor to any city of the Samaritans, and it was in keeping with this divine arrangement that he questioned his right to serve the Syrophenician woman.—Matt. 10:5,6

The clear-cut cleavage between Jews and Gentiles of that day is evidenced by the Jewish viewpoint that Gentiles were as mere dogs, hence the Master’s question as to whether it was proper to take the children’s bread and give it to dogs. He was using bread in this instance as a symbol of the divine favors which were then being offered to the natural descendants of Abraham.

The Gentile woman’s reply to Jesus touched his heart. It revealed both her faith and her humility. She had not been offended because he had referred to her as a dog. She was quite willing to accept this viewpoint, and at the same time was confident that if he would say the word her daughter could be freed from the menacing presence of the evil spirit. She would consider this as a “crumb” of favor such as a dog might find under the children’s table. Jesus gave her this “crumb”—her daughter was set free.

While it was not then God’s due time to bless all nations and races, Jesus’ willingness to extend this favor to a Gentile reveals the divine viewpoint of love for the whole world. To Abraham, God promised that through his seed all the families of earth were to be blessed, but nothing was done in the patriarch’s day to bless others beside his own immediate family, particularly Isaac. As a matter of fact, others at that time were destroyed without being given an opportunity to repent. These—the Sodomites, and others—Jesus explained would find it more favorable in the day of Judgment than would the Jews to whom such great favor had been extended.—Matt. 11:22-24

Thus we see how it is that God’s love is to be manifested toward all mankind. It is true that in his provision for the redemption and recovery of the human race by Jesus he is no respecter of persons. Nevertheless, during the preparatory phases of his plan he does exercise the right to choose whom he will to co-operate with him in his plan, and his final choice is always based upon the worthiness of those whom he chooses.

God’s choice of the Jewish nation was conditional, and they failed to meet the terms of their calling, hence were rejected as being his chosen people. Then he turned to the Gentiles, not to make them all his chosen people, but to choose from among them, upon the basis of their response to the Gospel, those who would make up the company of those who are to live and reign with Christ during the age when all the families of the earth will be blessed. During that age of blessing, all races will receive God’s favor.

QUESTIONS

Did God’s exclusive dealings with the Jewish nation mean that he was a respecter of persons?

Why did the Jewish nation cease to be the chosen people of God?

Upon what basis does God carry out his program of election?

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