Christ Came for Everyone

 Several years ago, my wife and I spent the summer in Nuremberg, Germany serving an English-speaking church  We were surrounded with history, culture and beauty. The church was composed of young adults from Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Ukraine, China, Cameroon, India, Sweden, Austria and others. Many were starting their careers in Nuremberg.  

The church reminded me that Jesus Christ was sent for all people of every nation in every age. When God called Abraham, He promised to make him a blessing to all the nations. Isaiah said, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isa. 42:1) And again, “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” (Isa. 52:10).  Those promises are fulfilled in Jesus.

The visit of the Magi after the birth of Jesus reflected God’s intention to send the Messiah for all the world.  Magi in the first century served as advisers to kings and rulers.  They often were students of the stars, searching for signs that would indicate significant historical events.  In this case, they discerned the birth of a new king in Judea.  They set out from the region of modern Iran or Iraq, searching for the new king.  From Herod’s advisers they were directed toward Bethlehem. A low-lying light led them to the place where Mary and Joseph resided with their infant son.  God used extraordinary means to include these men who represented all nations.

When John saw the vision that he recorded in Revelation, he declared, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Clearly, God wants people from every nation to experience His salvation in Jesus Christ. To accomplish this purpose, God is moving people all around the world and exposing them to opportunities to hear the gospel. According to a recent studies, the fastest growth of Christianity is in Asia and Eastern Europe. We are living in one of the most exciting eras of human history, when more people are discovering faith in Christ from all over the world than ever before.

A few years ago our daughter went on a mission trip to Andhra Pradesh in India. At the same time I visited Lubbock, Texas. When I checked into the hotel, the clerk who greeted me was from Andhra Pradesh.

Whether we are in Dallas, Houston, Lubbock or Nuremberg, Germany, every believer needs to reach out to international visitors around them, to welcome them, to love them, and to share with them the life-changing difference Jesus Christ makes in our lives.