Jesus Christ and the Gentiles - Equal Opportunity God - Part II

Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry said of himself that he was  sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24), yet there are records in the gospels of him making exceptions and helping Gentiles.

In Luke 4:24-30, Luke  writes about two interesting accounts Jesus Christ brought up when he returned to Nazareth from one of his trips. The people of Nazareth had heard about all the things he had done in Capernum and they wanted to see him do the same things there. He knew their unbelief (Mark 6:5,6).

Luke 4:24-30  24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. 28And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

During this time referred to in Elijah’s life, Elijah was sent over 80 miles in rugged terrain to Zarephath , a Gentile city to live with a widow woman according to God’s instructions. Israel was in pretty bad shape at that time under the rule of evil Ahab. God sent Elijah to a Gentile woman.

The second event involved Naaman who was also a Gentile, and who lived during Elisha’s time. Naaman received healing for his leprosy.

These two records would be very familiar to the people of Nazareth and because of their attitude and unbelief, hearing the events of the widow woman and Naaman would anger them. Jesus’ bold statements about himself infuriated them, so it was no wonder that there weren’t more miraculous events there.

A great point is made here that God’s heart regardless of Judean or Gentile is with the individual who believes. This angered the religious elite. In Luke 4 they wanted Jesus Christ out of their city!