12/2/07 - Life Journal - Deus lo Volt

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches...
Romans 11:17,18

I'm reading a fictional account of one man's diary of the crusades. It's titled "Deus Lo Volt". Everyone from peasants to noblemen joined the cause of the Pope to reclaim the holy lands, especially Jerusalem, from the pagan Turks and Arabs. Their cheer was "Deus lo Volt", God wills it. Apparently they never read this verse because some apparently believed it was God's will to stop half way on their journey and slaughter Jews, Jesus' murderers.

This verse explains to me, I think, that God also sacrificed his chosen people, their hearts hardened, to pave the way for Gentiles to be saved by His sacrifice of His Son. Like Judas, His people are playing their part in His all-encompassing plan to save all of His creation. It's a reminder that all are His and we are to treat everyone like the lost sheep that they are and use our lives to lead them back into the fold. Vs. 23 states, "And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again."

Lord, help me remember those with hardened hearts that were pruned to make room for me and Your Son who made the ultimate sacrifice.