Christ Redeems All: Divine Love Embraces Everyone
The scope of God’s grace is often the greatest stumbling block for the human heart. We are prone to drawing boundaries where God draws horizons. However, a survey of Scripture reveals a “Divine Love” that is not only deep but staggeringly wide. From the reluctant prophet Jonah to the tax booths of Galilee, the message remains consistent: Christ’s redemptive purpose is an inclusive embrace. The Conflict of Narrow Mercy (Jonah 4:1-11) Perhaps no one struggled more with the “all-encompassing” nature of grace than Jonah. When God spared the pagan city of Nineveh, Jonah was not joyful; he was “exceedingly displeased.” Jonah’s grudge was seemingly rooted in a misplaced sense of spiritual monopoly. Jonah might have feared that by showing mercy to the Gentiles, the honor of Israel would be diminished. Yet, God uses the simple illustration of a withered plant to rebuke him. We observe that God’s mercies are over all His works. If Jonah pitied a gourd which cost him nothing, shall not God spare ...
