“And of Zion it shall be said. “This one and that one were born in her.” (Psalm 87:5 ESV)
The Psalmist and the congregation are reflecting before the LORD on their call to be a people called by God to be a light to the nations (Gentiles).
Paul calls the granting of full citizenship in the kingdom of God for believing Gentiles a “mystery”. Nevertheless, because there were believing people of God who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Gentiles, the unbelievers became citizens of the kingdom.
Is the church, the body of believers, in a similar situation?
Is the call upon the church today to be a witness to the “Gentiles” of today – the pagan following, “unbelieving in God” people – the lost, the blind, those in “prison”? We may speak the same language, live in the same province or community, but it can seem that we are foreigners in our own country as we are surrounded by ungodly principles and practices,
It may seem a pretty daunting task and contrary to logic that there would be any response from some people who seem so opposed to anything to do with God. But, when the truth is spoken, backed up by the power of the Holy Spirit, there is change. We might join with Paul and declare it to be a “mystery”.
Indeed, if we reflect upon our own experience of conversion or declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, it might even now seem to be a mystery as to how it all came about – but it did, and it can for others!! Is anything too hard for the creator and sustainer of the world?
It is God’s call, God’s equipping and our trust and obedience.
Let the history of God’s work, including in our life and that of others, be our encouragement and inspiration. We have it, why not use it?
And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” (Psalm 85:5-6 ESV)
6 The Lord said to me,
“I have a greater task for you, my servant. Not only will you restore to greatness
the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations—
so that all the world may be saved.” (Isaiah 49:6 GNB)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[d] depart in peace,
according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32 ESV)
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:4-6 ESV)
47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 2:47 ESV)
