I Am Israel?

This is the account of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. [Genesis 25.19]

As I was reading today's OYCB reading, it occurred to me that most of the Old Testament follows this lineage of Abraham through Isaac then Jacob (Israel).

Now, I am aware that there is a contingency of folks that would argue that the nation of Israel is so important that God deals with Israel separately from Christians. In a moment of ignorance or otherwise today, I am not so sure I agree with that.

Jesus was God's purpose from the beginning of time. God is always inclusive of "the world" in His love and purpose.

Jesus Himself said:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]

Jesus also said (read and focus on WHO God loved, I underlined it as a hint):

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Look at something Paul wrote:

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. [2 Corinthians 1.20]

The Bible follows the nation of Israel because it is through that nation, and specifically the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah would come. Because of this, the covenants of the Old Testament are covenants with Israel and thus they are covenants with the Messiah, Jesus. It is then through Jesus that all the world might be saved. It is through Jesus that all the covenants are fulfilled.

I am Israel in Christ. In fact, every believer is Israel in Christ. Every reference in the Bible to Israel is a reference to Christ and therefore a reference to every believer in Him!

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. [Colossians 1.19-20]

Think about it: if God "made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by mean's of Christ's blood," what is left to be done with Israel? Nothing! It has already been done, hence, "everything in heaven and on earth"!

I know I am can claim no great title among Christian leadership in the world, however, I believe a re-examination of the "completeness" of Christ's mission to earth is due. I further believe the distinctions between Jew and Gentile in the early Church (documented so well in the New Testament) should be examined in light of the scriptures referenced herein. The New Testament recorded the fact that Judas hanged himself, but that does not mean he was an example for us all! Likewise, the New Testament records that the early Church distinguished between Jew and Gentile but that does not necessarily mean that was the correct response to Christ and His Message!

In fact, Jesus ministered to non-Jews. He clearly acknowledged the distinction between Jew and Gentile, but His ministry reached all. Of course He focused on Jews because the fact remained that Messiah would come through the Jews! The Jews were entrusted with the lineage of Messiah, but once He got here, the promises were extended to all through faith.

If I am wrong here, the Word will straighten me out in time. I am committed to continue to peruse it with particular focus now on the matter of this post!

I close with this from Acts:

God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? [Acts 15.8-10]

Father, I am glad all Your promises are fulfilled in Christ and that I am given the opportunity to be "in Christ" through faith.