In Faith - In Christ - In Israel

I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love. I will praise the LORD for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love. He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became their Savior. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them. [Isaiah 63.7-10]

Isaiah 63.7-10 proves that Israel and the New Testament Church are one and the same.

To be more precise, "Israel" defines all who are "in faith - in Christ." This is made clear in these sentences: And he became their Savior. "In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years." These are all things Jesus did.

But there is one thing that really confirms to me that "Israel" consists of those "in faith - in Christ" and that is the reference to the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit was given by Jesus to those "in faith - in Christ."

With this established then, the verses following the passage above have great significance to me today - right now!

Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people? Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand—the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever? Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling. As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.” [Isaiah 63.11-15]

Right now, the Church should be asking, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people? Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand—the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever? Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea?”

And what appropriate questions these are for the powerless church to be asking today!

All of Isaiah 58-62 then comes alive with words for those "in faith - in Christ" because, that condition, "in faith - in Christ," means they are "in Israel." Chapters 58-62 give distinct instructions to fast with a right heart and for the right reasons, and how to treat people with justice. It also speaks of the blessings that come in so doing. Within this passage of Scripture is also found Jesus' "purpose" in His coming Advent:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. [Isaiah 61.1-2]

Jesus then boldly confirmed His purpose during His time on earth in Luke's Gospel:

And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” [Luke 4.17-21]

This New Testament event only further proves that those "in faith - "in Christ" are indeed "in Israel" because as Jesus revealed His "purpose" in quoting Isaiah, He also confirmed our common purpose elsewhere:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

And...

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

This is powerful revelation to those who believe!

No, the Church today is not revealing Christ as it should. But that does not change the fact that it should! As Isaiah 58-62 indicates, it all begins with understanding our carnal existence, then repenting of it, fasting correctly, not only living justly - but promoting justice, AND finally living in the obvious and undeniable blessings of God.

Father, thank You for Your Word! Thank You for Jesus Christ our Messiah! Thank You for including me in Your family "in faith - in Christ - in Israel!"