Nearly beyond belief.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that He is a rewarder to those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The word “incredible: can not describe the gospel of the kingdom. Incredible speaks against the impeccable character of the One who brought the message. Extraordinary falls short in describing words that are living. Things unseen were described by the One who created what is seen. The thoughts of the heart were exposed in those who heard Him. These amazing words came with the promise of eternal life.
Sadly, for many, they rejected the revelation of God who became the man Jesus, their Messiah. “For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” (Colossians 2:9) He stood before them. He was His Father’s temple. He spoke openly. They heard the words but did not comprehend them. They saw the miracles, but still asked Him for signs. Why didn’t they get it? The answer is found it the commission God gave to Isaiah.
“He said, ‘Go and tell this people (Judah): ‘ you will be ever hearing, but never understanding; you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ This peoples heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.” (Isaiah 6:9-10 Septuagint) Isaiah was to declare God’s judgement on His people, and the reason for it. Their hearts had hardened against God, so from that day, except for a remnant, a vail has prevented the children of Israel from comprehending “the Spirit of prophecy who bears witness to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 19:10)
“For the LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, the seers. (Isaiah 29:10; Romans 11:8) Jesus spoke in parables for the sake of the remnant. “To you it has been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.” (Matthew 13:10-12) Jesus then quotes their predicament as God’s judgement declared by Isaiah. (Matthew 13:14-15)
Unbelieving Jews are not excused, but their condition is explained. The apostle Paul goes on to say that this condition of exclusion from the kingdom will not last forever. “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery – so that you will not be wise in your own estimation – that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (Romans 11:25-27; Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
God did not judge Gentiles as He did Jews.
God does not prevent us, He calls us. “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me. To a nation who did not call on my name; I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.'” (Isaiah 65:1; Romans 10:20) Wherever the gospel, the living word, is declared is where God is saying, “Here am I, here am I.” How amazing is that!
Israel’s time will come again when God removes their “spirit of sleep.” Now it is our time to be like Abraham and believe His amazing words.
Father, thank You for calling those who did not know to ask for You. All that we become is because of Your gracious revelation in Jesus and the power of Your living word. In your Son’s name we praise and thank you.
“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save you.” (James 1:21)
His Family Table 