I once got on a connecting flight in the airport in Pittsburg to go to Hamilton, Ontario. It was a small commuter plane that maybe could hold 50 people at the most, but this day there was just me, a Baptist pastor, a man who was a Roman Catholic, and a Jewish
Rabbi. I know, it sounds like the beginning of a joke. The Roman Catholic man sat up front while the Rabbi and I sat across the aisle from each other in about the center of the plane. We enjoyed a most fascinating conversation over almost the entire trip and exchanged email addresses when we landed. For part of the trip the rabbi excused himself, put a cloth over his head and went through a ritual of prayer before he ate his breakfast.
Now, years later, I still pray for him. He did not understand about Jesus Christ, which crippled him in understanding such wonderful passages such as Isaiah 53. But he was fervent and dedicated. It was as Paul said; he had a, “Zeal for
God without knowledge.” I happened to meet him one more time. He and I were on the same commuter flight back to Pittsburg only this time it was full, and we weren’t able to sit together and talk.
The Jews and Israel are a large part of God’s purpose and
plan, even of His plan to save the
Gentiles. The fulfillment of our salvation is the fulfillment of His promises to Israel. He could have just fulfilled the promises to Israel and said, “Forget the Gentiles.” After the resurrection, when Jesus met with the disciples, and they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) He could have ushered in the Millennium right then. At that time my ancestors were barbarians in what would become Wales. I would have had no chance! But He had a plan. Jesus told them, "… other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)
Ultimately there will be one fold. We read in prophecy that one day they will turn en masse to Jesus as their Messiah. Until then something tragic has happened. Very few of Israel have followed Jesus Christ. Almost en masse they have poured over the precipice of Hell, lost for eternity. When the Jews in Rome refused to
believe the message that Paul preached to them, Paul made this final statement "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" (Acts 28:28)
For more than 2000 years God has been holding off, leaving Israel almost totally in
unbelief while He was saving multitudes of the gentiles. Israel’s 2,000 years of unbelief gave me the opportunity to hear the Gospel and be saved. “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25) That is a startling verse! I hope that you, especially if you are not a Jew, catch the weight of it. Every time you see the picture of an orthodox Jew, think of that Scripture passage in Romans. That day will come when God will say, “That is enough Gentiles.” Then He will mightily move the hearts of Israel to belief and salvation. “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.’” (Romans 11:26) God tells us that when Israel gets saved, they will be saved with a vengeance: “…how much more readily will these (be joined to Him.)…” (Romans 11:24)
Right now Romans 11:28 is the case: “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.” The next time you hear news about Israelites dying in their struggle to survive, let this humble you, they are enduring the judgment of God so that you can be blessed by the mercy of God. This time of their hardness gives me the chance to be saved.
This hard fact is presented to you here in Romans to warn you not to take salvation for granted. “Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.” (Romans 11:20) Afraid of what? “For if God did not
spare the natural branches (for unbelief), he will not spare you either (for unbelief).” (&Romans 11:21) So, you are a member of 1st Baptist Church (Or any other)? So what! If He didn’t spare the Jews, His people, why should He spare you? “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) Look to Him according to His way, not your way, not depending on your inadequate good deeds, but repenting of your sin, trusting in what He has done to save you. Believing in Him come to Him. He will accept you, and change you. Otherwise you are cut off.
More summaries about the Israel & My Salvation