From the desk of Pastor Ben

Gentile Faith Versus Jewish Unbelief

“The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it.”    (Matthew 12:41-42a)

The residents of Nineveh were not only Gentiles who lived outside of God’s covenant and law, they were especially brutal pagans. But even apart from a previous knowledge of the true God and His will, they, by faith, repented of sin and embraced God, which gave them spiritual salvation and spared them physical destruction (Jonah 3:5-6). Jonah grudgingly preached a terse message of judgment to Nineveh (3:4) and did no miracles and made no promises of deliverance. Yet, God could use that to cause the people to humbly grasp His mercy and receive salvation.
By sharp contrast, God’s own people rejected the gospel, even when His Son preached to them, performed many miracles and signs, and graciously offered them eternal life.
    “The Queen of the South” (from the prosperous country of the Sabeans) brought massive treasure to Solomon in gratitude and honor for his divinely wise teachings. Jesus again makes an interesting comparison: A Gentile woman came on her own initiative to learn God’s truth from Solomon. But the Jews, hearing Christ’s offers of blessing and salvation, rejected Him and forfeited forgiveness and redemption. So one day, the pagan queen, like the Ninevites, “will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it.” What a tragic conclusion when One much greater than Jonah or Solomon willingly taught not only wisdom but salvation, only to have it largely rejected by His own people.

Ask Yourself:
Think of the present-day factors that could lead people to repentance: unstable economic conditions, personal crises, health concerns, deteriorating relationships. How is God continuing to reach out to a fallen world, and how could He use you to help others see their need for Him?