Scripture
21Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.” 24Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” Acts 26:21-24
Observation
As I’ve been studying Ephesians recently I’ve come to realize how I owe Paul a debt of love. He was beat, bruised, rejected and imprisoned for years to make sure a Gentile like me got the message of Good News. That Jesus had fulfilled the old covenant to His chosen people Israel through His death and resurrection. He then established a new covenant that not only included Jews, but the Gentiles of every nation. This is, in fact, why he was now on trial, because the idea that others would be grafted in to God’s family was abhorrent to the religious leaders. According to Ephesians 2, Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, like the wall in the temple that separated Jews from Gentiles and then made the two one new race! “17He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.” (Eph. 2:17-18) No wonder Festus shouted out that Paul was crazy! There’s no way this could ever happen right?
Application
A lot of people wonder why we stand with Israel in the war in the Middle East. Well, to start their’s the logical reason. Any country that is attacked so brutally after the October 7th massacre of innocents from Hamas should have the right to defend their own country from terrorists who’s express purpose is to wipe them off the face of the map. For some reason Israel is held to a different standard than every other nation. Then, there’s the Biblical reason we stand with Israel. They’re family. Now, I know most don’t even believe that Jesus was the Messiah… yet. According to Scripture, Israel will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10). Israel will be regenerated, restored, and regathered (Jeremiah 33:8; Ezekiel 11:17; Romans 11:26). In fact, the place that all history started will be the very place that all history ends and will be the very place Jesus returns! To turn our back on Israel is to take the role of Festus and say, “you’re crazy to believe that”! The love of Jesus is as wide as the world. It’s so crazy that it includes God’s chosen people who have largely rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus love is so crazy it includes the Palestinian people being used as pawns and human shields in this age old conflict by Hamas. Jesus love is so crazy it includes Hamas themselves if they would turn from their wicked ways and follow Him. Two things can be true at once. I can stand with Israel’s right to defend themselves and their homeland and also pray for the Palestinian’s safety and for these nations caught in the lie of Islam to come to know Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, my heart is broken at all the lives lost in Israel and Gaza. I know this has been going on for a long time, since Cain and Abel, Ishamael and Isaac. I know that Israel is persecuted, surrounded by enemies—Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, etc. I know this hatred and persecution of Israel is only a hint of what will happen in the end times (Matthew 24:15-21) that seem to be happening right now. Yet, I also know You say, in your crazy love, to pray for our enemies. I pray that the fear of You would descend upon Israel’s enemies and that You would turn many hearts toward You. I’m so thankful for Your crazy love that included me in your salvation plan for eternity. In the face of all the conflicts at home and abroad I pray that my love would not grow careful, calculated, and cold, but more crazy in its expression to those around me! “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3:18 That’s crazy love!
Comments