Salvation. . . .For The Jew, First

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:1-4. Paul, in these first versus of Romans 10, shares his heart's desire is that Israel will be saved. He further states that they are seeking their own righteousness and not the righteousness of Christ.

Jesus, in Luke Chapter 19 had an even stronger reaction when He approached Jerusalem even as He was being proclaimed the King who comes in the name of The Lord. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:42. Jesus knew that the majority of God's Original Covenant People had not recognized Him as their Messiah which still is the scenario to this day.

However, this is a temporary situation! PRAISE GOD! In Romans 11:1,11 Paul raises the questions whether God has cast away His People or have they stumbled to fall from God? The response to both questions is - CERTAINLY NOT! Most importantly, verse 26 says "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness away from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." Yes, the day is coming when the Jewish people will recognize Jesus as their Messiah!

Wednesday, February 13th, Christians throughout the world participated in Ash Wednesday starting the forty day period of Lent leading to the glorious celebration of our Savior's Resurrection. Christians spend these forty days in pious reflection of their relationship with their Savior to include repentance as appropriate. How very special and pleasing to God it would be if during these forty days of Lent we would include praying for unsaved people but also, as supporters of Israel, we would pray for the salvation of God's Original Covenant People.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank