Steph’s Question
Steph raised a thought-provoking question during her Alpha course:
“If Jesus was a Jew, how does His message have relevance for us?”
This led me to explore how Jesus’ ministry, while rooted in Jewish tradition, expanded to include all people.
Jesus’ Mission to the Jews
Jesus Himself acknowledged that His mission began with the Jewish people, referring to them as the “lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). He was born into Jewish culture, fulfilled Jewish prophecy, and often directed His teachings to Jewish audiences. However, this initial focus doesn’t mean His mission was exclusive.
Moments of Inclusivity in Jesus’ Ministry
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The Canaanite Woman
In Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman begged Jesus to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus seemed reluctant, saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). Her reply, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matthew 15:27), revealed her persistent faith. Jesus responded, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted” (Matthew 15:28). This showed that faith, not ethnicity, opened the door to His blessings. -
The Roman Centurion
In Matthew 8:5-13, a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus marvelled at his faith, saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10). He then declared, “Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11), signalling a mission that welcomed all nations. -
The Samaritan Woman
In John 4:7-26, Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman at a well—a bold act that broke Jewish cultural norms. He revealed Himself to her as the Messiah (John 4:26) and spoke of “living water” (John 4:10), symbolising salvation for all people, even those outside the Jewish community.
Faith as the Key
These moments highlight a crucial truth: Jesus’ mission wasn’t limited by ethnicity or cultural boundaries. Faith became the defining factor for belonging to God’s kingdom. As Paul later wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Relevance for Us Today
Jesus’ teachings transcend time and culture because they speak to the human condition—our need for grace, purpose, and connection with God. While His ministry started within the framework of Jewish tradition, it was always meant to extend globally. His message of faith, forgiveness, and salvation remains as relevant today as it was then.
Tags:JesusFaithInclusivityAlphaCourseBibleStudyCanaaniteWomanSamaritanWomanRomanCenturion Themes: MyTheology
References:
- Matthew 15:21-28 – The Canaanite woman’s faith.
- Matthew 8:5-13 – The Roman centurion’s faith.
- John 4:7-26 – Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
- Galatians 3:28 – Paul’s teaching on unity in Christ.