What does Jesus mean by 'lost sheep of the house of Israel'?
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The phrase refers to God's chosen people, Israel, specifically those among them who will come to faith in Christ.
The term 'lost sheep of the house of Israel' signifies those who are God's elect within the nation of Israel. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus states, 'I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel,' indicating His mission to seek and save those whom God has chosen among Israel. This doctrine emphasizes God's sovereign plan in which not all ethnic Israelites are saved, as Paul clarifies in Romans 9:6, 'For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.' Therefore, Jesus’ ministry was focused on these lost sheep who would ultimately respond to His call, showcasing both God's sovereignty and His desire to redeem His people.
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