by David Scott Robertson
I am not a Levite.
I don’t belong to any tribe of Israel.
I am not one of “God’s chosen people.”
I am not a part of the house and line of David.
My name is not listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
I was not one of the twelve apostles.
I wasn’t in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost.
To be sure, my name didn’t make it into the Holy Scriptures at all.
FURTHER…
I did not predict the Messiah’s coming as a prophet of God.
I was not at the temple the day Mary and Joseph dedicated the Infant King.
I did not even exist when John the Baptist declared,
“…Look, the Lamb of Good, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV)
MOREOVER…
I visibly saw no miracles performed by the Son of God.
I audibly heard no words of the Sermon on the Mount.
I didn’t eat fish with the Master on the beaches of Galilee.
I wasn’t within earshot of Moses and Elijah as the Christ was
Transfigured before them on the Mount.
I didn’t partake of the last Passover meal that Jesus would enjoy with His disciples.
I wasn’t there to defend Jesus,
Or flee with the rest,
When they took Him from Gethsemane.
I performed no work,
Small or great…
(Whether that was placing two small coins in an offering box as Jesus watched
To killing a giant and delivering his head to a king)
That has captured the attention of History
So that generations might know my story and exploits.
JUST THE FACTS…
I am a Gentile writing these words in 1999.
Independent of my will
I was born.
When I was born,
How I was born,
And where I was born
Quite obviously was beyond my control.
BUT I SAY UNTO YOU THIS MORNING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD:
Just as surely as Jesus of Nazareth
Made eye contact with the tax collector, Mathew, and said, “Follow Me,” (Matthew 9;9)
He has made the same offer to you and me.
You see, I was mentioned in scripture after all!
I did make it in the Book of books
Written by the King of kings.
You will find mention of me (and yourself!) in verses like:
(John 3:16 NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Emphasis added)
(Rev 3:20 NIV) “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I shall come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Emphasis added)
(Acts 2:39 NIV) “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Emphasis added)
(John 10:9 KJV) “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Emphasis added.)
Not only am I in God’s Word,
I’m in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
My name is there too!
I don’t mind at all being listed as
WHOEVER,
ANYONE,
ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF,
ANY MAN…
The point is, I’m in!
I’m in God’s kingdom
And God’s kingdom is in me!
So now,
Having entered into a covenant relationshi
With the Holy One of Israel,
I now know that the Author of Scripture
Had me
(Yes, me –
And you,
If you will receive it)
In mind when the Holy Spirit
Had these words recorded in the Bible for eternity:
(1 Pet 2:9 NIV) “But you [me too!] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood [I’m a priest of Jehovah!], a holy nation [I’m in God’s tribe!], a people belonging to God [I am my Beloved’s and He is mine!], that you may declare the praises of Him [praise His name forever!] who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light [I was dead in my sins but Jesus saved me!].”
(1 pet 2:10 NIV) “Once you were not a people [I was lost and undone!], but now you are the people of God [the Spirit of Adoption!]; once you had not received mercy [I was destined for Hell!], but now you have received mercy [I am bound for Heaven!].”
DSR
7/29/99