Verses 1-5: Gathering of Israel
What does this teach me about the atonement ?
We know nothing of the full extent of the souls Christ atoned for. Even so, He desires unity and love among them all. He has many branches dispersed so that if one is cut off by apostasy, adopting traditions that preclude faith, He may start afresh to plant seeds of faith among a new "crop". The goal is salvation and eternal life for His precious, beloved children, whatever their heritage and locale.
Lesson for me?
*Remember Christ's love for His children everywhere. Pray for the missionary effort across the globe (and even in the next life!) and for your own missionary opportunities.
Verses 5-20: Jews, Gentiles & the Latter Days
What does this reveal about the atonement?
The atonement imparted the redeeming power for Christ to save and gather His people. Thanks to Him, they'll receive all the grace and saving knowledge they're open to accepting. Christ has felt the weight and consequences of every sin He enumerates here. When one society rejects Him, He begins again with another. His endeavor is tireless and fueled by compassion. Thanks to Him, repentance is always available to us.
The same lessons from the first part of the chapter echo through the rest as well. Christ has different "strains" of people for the purposes of gospel dispersal and "germination", but in the end, all of His covenant children are "one fold", the House of Israel.
Lesson for me?
*You are His covenant daughter, and your persistence in that covenant, and your commitment to glorifying the Father by carrying out His will does more good than you can know or even imagine at this time. You are and will be an instrument of salvation affecting generations of His children. Remember the grandeur of the plan you're a part of.
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