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Most farmers in Kansas join the Kansas Farm Bureau. Members in good standing enjoy all the benefits that the bureau offers. That is how membership groups work. Excluding non-farmers is their right. By contrast, God wanted to make clear to ancient Israel that when the Messiah arrived, He would extend salvation to everyone. God revealed this to Isaiah. In Isaiah 56, the prophet wrote that when the Messiah arrived, He would not restrict people for salvation based on ethnic origin or physical limitation. Even though his nation once barred such people from temple worship, Isaiah said, “Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will never let me be a part of this people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, I’m a dried up tree with no children and no future.’ For this is what the LORD says; I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy, and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. ‘I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name.” Isaiah is describing the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice makes it possible for people of all categories to receive God’s forgiveness and acceptance into His family. Since God does not exclude anyone, we should extend God’s invitation to everyone.
