Why was Jesus not yet the object of Gentile faith during His earthly ministry?
During His earthly ministry Christ was almost exclusively sent to Israel, so Gentiles were not yet the object of faith in Him. Only after His death, burial, and resurrection could the Gospel go to the whole human race, and He become the object of faith for Gentiles.
Les teaches that Jesus was speaking of His coming death, burial, and resurrection, and that for the Gentiles He was not an object of their faith until He had experienced the work of the cross. Christ in His earthly ministry was almost exclusively to the nation of Israel, with only two exceptions. But after experiencing the death, burial, and resurrection, the Gospel could go to the whole human race, not just Israel, and He then becomes the object of faith for the whole human race. Les also relates this to resurrection power in I Corinthians 15.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
More Questions
When could the Gentiles come into the picture and have faith in Jesus?
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection would allow the Gentiles to come into the picture and make Him the object of their faith; this could not happen until after His death, burial, and resurrection.