The Promise of a Savior for All People

Was the promise of a Messiah only for the Jewish people? Were God’s promises only meant for a designated few, or was there a greater intent of God’s design for redemption? When it comes to looking at God’s promises, this is often one of those theological hurdles that we will probably have to address. Which promises are for the Jews, and which ones are for the rest of us? While we may see some particular promises to the nation of Israel (for example, a land that will be their own), there are some promises that were articulated to them as a specific people but were not limited solely to them.  

One of those is the promise of a Messiah. The word “Messiah” in Hebrew simply means the anointed one or the righteous one. The Greek word that correlates to this Hebrew word is the word “Christ.” The word “Christian” is simply a word that indicates an individual who follows Christ or is following the Messiah. So, how do we know for certain that this promise of a Messiah, a Savior, is not just a promise to the Jewish people but is a promise for all humanity? God’s plan has always been about redeeming mankind (humanity). We see the inclusion of the foreigner in many Old Testament stories, and the promises that were given to the people of Israel are extended to these very foreigners. Here are just a few examples of many non-Israelites (Gentiles) who received the promises of God in the Old Testament:  

• Abram (later called Abraham) a man from Ur of the Chaldeans, he is known as the father of faith (Genesis 11:28-31) 

• The “mixed multitude” who were freed and joined themselves with Israel coming out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38) 

• The inclusion of a foreign woman named Rahab with the people of Israel (Joshua 2:10-13) 

• A Moabite woman named Ruth married the son of Rahab, Boaz (Book of Ruth; Matthew 1:5) 

• From the Gentile lineage that one of Israel’s greatest kings came, King David (Matthew 1:5-6) 

• From that same lineage the Messiah Himself was born (Matthew 1:16) 

I want to focus on a particular book and a particular passage. Let us go back to one of my favorite books, the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah, there are prophecies of this coming Messiah. It is a book given to the people of Israel. While the promise of the Messiah is most definitely inclusionary of the people of Israel, it is not exclusively for them. 

Isaiah 9:1-2 says, “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” 

I want to show this verse to you in another version that may give it a little clearer meaning. Isaiah 9:1–2 (Brenton LXX En) says, “Drink this first. Act quickly, O land of Zabulon, land of Nephthalim, and the rest inhabiting the sea-coast, and the land beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. O people walking in darkness, behold a great light: ye that dwell in the region and shadow of death, a light shall shine upon you.” 

Who are the people who walk in darkness? Who are the people who dwelt in a land of deep darkness? Who are they that dwell in the shadow of death? The people who live in the land beyond Jordan, beyond Galilee, are the Gentiles.  

In fact, in the same book of Isaiah, a few chapters later, it says:  

“Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people’; and let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’” Isaiah 56:3 

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:6–7 

This promise in Isaiah chapter 9 is fulfilled and made true in the book of Luke. Simeon is a righteous and devoted man to God. He is waiting earnestly for the promise of the Messiah. He is very much hoping that his old eyes will get to lay sight of the promise that has been promised to the people of Israel. Simeon is so faithfully confident in the words that God spoke to him that he is found waiting for the promise. What an example for us! Here is what he says in Luke 2:27-32 when he lays eyes on Jesus, “And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’” 

Even Simeon knew and understood that this salvation, this promise of the Messiah, the promise of the Anointed and Righteous One, was not just a promise for the people of Israel (although it most definitely includes them). It is a promise for all peoples, a light for those in darkness, even those in deep darkness.  

I pray today that if you are in need of hope, a light at the end of a dark path, and a light in the midst of your darkness, you will know where to turn. There is a promise for you! There is a promise for me! It is the promise of the Light of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.  

John 1:6–9, 12-13 adds, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world…But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”