Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.


John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The above passage isn't problematical considering how it harmonizes with the rest of the New Testament, and the whole Bible for that matter.

The Savior said in Matthew: 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

He didn't say, "Who is my Jewish mother? and who are my Jewish brethren?" Yes, He was talking with a group of Jewish people, but His comments were not exclusive to them in the greater context. So many other Scripture passages affirm this. He came first to the Jews, but not exclusively to them.

Paul apostle said in Galatians 3: "26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." This is reaffirmed in his letter to the Colossians (chapter 3). I fail to see how a plain reading of the text could lead anyone to think anything else.

The Savior said in John 10: "9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He didn't say, "if any Jewish man enter in". He did say however, that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He didn't say, "whosever in the world--as long as he is Jewish".

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

The word "world" is translated from the Greek "kosmos". It can refer to the planet, but in this context it is clear that Jesus was using the word in the ordered sense to mean--the people on this planet. He didn't say....."For God so loved only the Jews in the world." He offered the gift of salvation to everyone who would believe---cling to Him, rely on Him--who would trust in Him for their eternal salvation.

John the apostle tells us in his first epistle, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He did that at the Cross. The works of the devil are utterly destroyed by Him for any person who comes to Him in repentance and who believes in Him. Jesus changes hearts. He gives the faith necessary for eternal life to any person who turns to Him. Not one who turns to Him in a silly fashion, regarding the trend of the day, in a way that is not sincere, but who turns from their sin and to Jesus Christ to be made alive by Him through the gift of faith.

The simple truth is this....."He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:120) One either has Jesus or one does not, and this is not predicated on one's heritage. It is dependent on whether one loves Jesus Christ and has entrusted Him with one's very soul. The first and greatest commandment has not changed, but has been revealed more fully in the first advent of our Lord and Savior. "37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22)

One simply cannot have the Son if one does not love Him.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Peace in His name,

Kabar