His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that Christ’s instruction in the early ministry — “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles; go rather to the lost sheep of Israel” — was not racist, but a pedagogical and strategic decision to begin the mission in the most receptive context.

Training and Staged Mission:
Jesus gave this instruction during the disciples’ initial training phase, before the Holy Spirit empowered them. Beginning with Israel — the people of Scripture and prophecy — was a practical way to root the message where the prophetic promises were already known.

Practical Reasons for Gradual Expansion:
Gentile audiences lacked the prophetic background and religious symbols that made the Gospel understandable; preaching to them was harder and often met with hostility (Paul faced beatings, stoning, and rejection). Samaritans also had a special, complicated historical relationship with Jews.

Not Racism but Strategy:
There is no permanent contempt in Christ’s words toward the nations. After the Resurrection and Pentecost the mission became explicitly universal: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8); “Go into all the world…” (Mark 16:15); “Make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

Examples from Jesus’ and the Apostles’ Ministry:
Jesus praised the faith of the Roman centurion, healed the Canaanite woman’s daughter, visited Tyre and Sidon; Paul carried the Gospel into Gentile lands despite persecution. These show the rapid widening of the mission.

Spiritual Message:
Christ’s mission is universal. He began with Israel for historical and pedagogical reasons, then opened salvation to all nations when the time and the spiritual preparation (the Spirit and the empowered apostles) were ready. The early limitation was wise strategy, not racial exclusion.

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