Why Should Christians Care About Israel…
Seeing the images and videos that are coming out of Israel the last few days has caused me to experience a deeply heavy heart.
To see Christians or others simply brush off these things as unimportant, or that they don’t matter, or worse yet, they are getting what they deserve, breaks my heart.
Friends, are you aware that Jesus was an Israelite? Seriously, think about it, Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, which by the way is in the heart of all this barbaric activity, and he said these words to the Jewish people…
…I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…
Matthew 23:37
…And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!
Luke 19:41-42
Jesus loved and still loves the Jewish people, if you claim to follow Jesus, aren’t you supposed to love who Jesus loves?
Beyond that my friends, Jesus is not done with Israel. In the Old Testament God calls Israel His Chosen People! But, they did not recognize Jesus when he came, so he established the church to carry the message of Jesus until the time that Israel would be reestablished to carry forth his message once again:
I ask, then, has God rejected his people Israel? By no means!
Romans 11:1
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” (Israel)
Romans 11:28
God himself puts a curse on any nation that rises up against Israel or fails to defend her:
On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:8-9
The very capitol of Jesus Millennial reign will be Jerusalem itself as the nation of Israel is finally restored:
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Isaiah 2:1-4
Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
And then finally, God issues a blessing for those who honor Israel and pray for her peace:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
Psalm 122:5-9
If you claim to follow Jesus, a Jewish Rabbi, that lived in Israel, loved Israel, and longs for Israel’s restoration, how can we not also love Israel?
Dave
DaveCrandall.Me 