This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
Ephesians 3:6,7
When you come to the end of a long trip, you breathe a sigh of relief. Whether it’s a six-day coast-to-coast drive, or flying to Europe, when you reach your destination, you fall down into a chair and sigh.
We left Baltimore over 40 years ago, living in Delaware, Connecticut, Arizona, and central Florida. When your parents and siblings live in Baltimore, and you live somewhere else, you’ll never guess who goes to whom? And while I like the two-hour flight from Orlando to Baltimore, sometimes driving is necessary.
When we were in the process of clearing out and selling our parents houses, there were numerous trips back and forth. There were lots of decisions and details with the houses, furniture, and everything else. And until the airlines figure out a way for me to check furniture onto a flight, we were tied to driving.
It’s 14 and a half hours from central Florida without any traffic or stopping. Both are impossible. Normally it’s around 16 hours. But with traffic around Washington, DC and Orlando, FL, it’s like that box of chocolates in Forest Gump, “You never know what you’re going to get.”[1]
I’m the kind of person that likes to make it in one day – especially when we’re coming home. So, when we roll into our driveway, there is a deep sigh and running inside. When you’re home, there is no doubt about where you are.
It’s finished. It’s a done deal. Accomplished. The finish line has already been crossed. The race is over. The contract has been signed. The check cleared the bank. Elvis has left the building.
And just like coming home, Gentile believers are now and forever linked to God in the same way that Jewish believers have been. They are both children that are named the same way in the will. While the Jews have been God’s children for a long time, the Gentiles were brought in as equals.
This linking of Jew and Gentile, this will, this eternal written document that’s signed by God, will never, ever, change. God never changes[2] and he’s not about to change his mind. There’s no such thing as God tearing up his agreement or using some kind of heavenly correction liquid to white-out what he’s written.
But it’s better than that. Not only are they forever together, they also forever share in the sure promises of their heavenly Father God in Jesus. These promises are not just something that’s way off over the horizon, somewhere in eternity. No, these promises are available right here. Right now.
It doesn’t mean that:
Everything will be happy and joyful every moment of every day.
There won’t be deep frustration or pain.
Your investments will only go up.
Every surgery and treatment will be successful.
There is a cure for everything.
There won’t be deep hurt or pain in relationships.
The list could go on and on.
But what it does mean is that he will always, always, always be with us. That no matter what life or the enemy throws at you, that he’s personally with us. He will forever hold us in his hand[3]. Nothing and no one can pry his powerful and compassionate fingers away from us[4].
Cory Ten Boom was right.
No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still. With Jesus, even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.
It’s one thing to meet someone on the street. It’s one thing to sit around a table with people in a meeting. It’s one thing to see and talk with someone through a Zoom call.
But it’s an entirely different thing to sit around a dinner table and share a great meal together. You just can’t beat good company, good conversation, good food, good beverages. And all followed by a good desert.
In some small way this is what it is like for Jews and Gentiles to me made one. To be put together. United with one another. United with God. This union is true today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.
Now, that’s a together worth being part of.
Noodling Questions
What draws you to be together with God and his people?
List the things that untie you from being together with God and his people.
What steps can you take to stay together with God and his people?
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