How could God use the Roman cross to bring about the Gospel for the Gentiles?
Through Israel's rejection of her King, Messiah, and Redeemer, God turned to the Gentiles with an unheard-of program of grace. He used the graphic, awful Roman cross to bring about a Gospel sent free to Gentiles—without work, religion, ritual, or priesthood—a Gospel that merely had to be believed.
Les explains that this is beyond human comprehension: the Holy, Righteous God of Glory used something as graphic and awful as the Roman cross to bring about a Gospel He could send to the Gentiles free for nothing. Because Israel rejected her King, Messiah, and Redeemer, God turned to the Gentiles with a program of grace unheard of. This Gospel required no work, religion, ritual, or priesthood; it merely had to be believed. Les says that is what most people cannot comprehend—it is too simple. But God intended it that way so no one, Jew or Gentile, could say they couldn't measure up or attain it. It is out there for everyone and anyone because Israel fell.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
More Questions
What was God's purpose for bringing salvation to the Gentiles?
God caused salvation to come to the Gentiles in order to provoke the Jewish people to jealousy/envy.
Why did God bring salvation to the Gentiles according to Romans 11?
God brought salvation to the Gentiles in order to provoke the Jews to jealousy/envy.