Have you experienced believing something was true for most of your life only to find out it was not? What was your reaction when you found your belief was disproved? Were you upset? Were you in disbelief? Was it an ‘ah-ha’ moment?
The most common false truth most of us experience is our belief in Santa Claus. When we get to a certain age, we discover it is really Mom and Dad who put all those presents under the tree. For some, it is devastating. For others, it is discovering their suspicions were correct.
As Christians, and especially non-Jews, we often hear the Israelites are God’s chosen people. As we read through the Old Testament, we often believe God was only interested in them. The remaining millions of people who resided in countries around the world were of no concern. However, that is a false belief.
We see in today’s passage that God was concerned with the rest of the world. We see that He was seeking the non-Jews, Gentiles, despite the Israelites being His chosen people. In fact, Israel was chosen to be the light to all nations, all people throughout the world. This was not something designed to be held in check until Christ came, He was the culmination of the redemption plan.
We might wonder why God did not reach out to the Gentiles before Jesus’ ministry. Perhaps we should first look at ourselves. Being human, we put ourselves first. The Israelites did the same. Though they were to be a light, they often did not shine their light in the world but turned it inward.
How did God solve this problem? He sent His Son who chose a dozen common men to spread His gospel throughout the world. He simplified His message and clearly stated He came to save all people in every nation. This is the message we are to continue spreading today. Just as Isaiah wrote more than seven hundred years before Jesus walked this earth, God is continually seeking each and every person across the entire earth.
I pray we all continue to spread the gospel. I pray we fulfill the message God gave Isaiah. I pray each one of us become the light to everyone we meet. Work for God. Fulfill His plan. Be a light. Tell others about Jesus. Tell others God is seeking them. Tell them about God’s salvation.
Isaiah 49:6
he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Marty Pressey 