http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/?p=7770  CNN fires all Israeli Journalists, keeping only Muslims in Jerusalem division.

When we talk of types, heroes and villains in the old testament, it is often minus the caveat that they were not yet under the grace we enjoy and unceremoniously take for granted.  Wives, concubines, false idols, sacrifices and indiscretions were viewed in comparison to adherence with the law and the prophets.  How hopeless at times it would have seemed to fulfill the over six hundred requirements of the Pharisees and Sadducees, especially absent a solid human example by which to pattern one’s walk.  How amazing that there were men considered righteous in such exceptional times.  How painful the direct discipline exacted by the Father for collective disobedience.  How cautious they would have been to adhere to every facet of the impossible law, driving themselves nearly insane with a manner of religious OCD.  How tragic a history and glorious a future.

Romans 9:30-10:13 What then shall we say?  That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith, but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.  Why not:  Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.  They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.”  As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.  For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.  Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.  Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.”  But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ “(that is, to bring Christ down) or ‘Who will descend into the deep? “(that is to bring Christ up form the dead).  But what does it say?  ” the word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord, ” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says,  “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

Paul trembled in fear at the reality of the Jew’s conscious naivete.  It must have been excruciating for those of the Jewish faith who understood prophecy’s fulfillment in Christ Jesus to see their Jewish brethren so poorly mis-comprehend God’s plan for the Nation of Israel.  How heartbreaking to see their brothers and sisters stumble over the Cornerstone of Zion, the Rock, their only way to redemption, freedom and salvation.

As Christians, perhaps we should share Paul’s apprehension and comprehensively value the grace we have been given .  We earned nothing, did nothing, attained nothing and were given everything.  How I cry for the Jewish people without whom we would never have been saved.  Pray for them in their coming hour of greatest need.  They are about to suffer tremendously for being God’s chosen people.  Since they denied their Messiah at His arrival, eventual recognition will cost them dearly.  Lord, have mercy on Your people.  Let them see You and proclaim Your glory in advance of Jacob’s great day of trial, so that they may escape the wrath to come.  How they will dance when they see Your face Lord Jesus, when all Your Majesty and Your plan is unveiled.  We love You Father, In Jesus’ name.  Amen.