“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)
Jesus’ Earthly mission was geographically limited to a relatively small region - namely Palestine. A Jew himself, his audience was mostly, but not exclusively, Jews. Matthew chapter 8 tells one of those accounts involving a Roman centurion. A Gentile, yet one with complete trust in the healing powers of Jesus, asks for and receives the healing of his servant. In fact, Jesus turns to his Jewish followers and calls this Gentile’s faith greater than any other in Israel. It is in this context Jesus speaks of many gentiles at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
It is a stretch to call someone who at best met all his neighboring tribes and one occupying force an internationalist. But come to think of it, I don’t know what is an internationalist. Has anybody seen an internationalist lately? Sorry. I cannot get my arms around this word “Internationalist.” I am not aware of purported allegations of ethnic pride or prejudice Mr. Stott mentions and therefore his defense entirely unnecessary.
Now if Mr. Stott wants to defend inclusion of Koreans in the periphery of internationalist realm…
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Thanks Kris for that wonderful reflection! I too was wondering whether calling Jesus an "internationalist" was stretching it a bit. Jesus' command at the end of Matthew 28 would certainly qualify as an international commission given to his disciples. As for Jesus himself, you're right about his ministry being limited geographically to the Jews mainly. This of course doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't care about gentiles, for after the resurrection he would commission his Jewish disciples to take the gospel message to the gentiles.
This week's reading by Stott should be read with the idea that in the four Gospels we are given four different and compatible portraits of our Savior, each adding it's own particular emphasis to our Lord's personhood, life, and ministry. The overall result is a fuller picture of the person of Jesus Christ.
Where I would agree with Stott is that Jesus is truly the only figure in the world that can bring the races/nations together. All over the world, no matter where you go, the name of Jesus is known. His message has truly an international flavor to it and he is loved and worship all over the world. Jesus is our "ace" card. And as long as we make Jesus the focus/issue, Christianity is going to conquer and win the hearts of people. We just need to get that message out there. There is no Savior like Christ! And in the Gospels we see the wisdom, the love, the patience, the grace, and yes even his righteous anger. I love the Jesus in the Gospel, don't you!
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