Why have a Chosen People Ministry, or a presentation from them tomorrow night? There are two purposes for the “Messiah in the Passover” presentation tomorrow at 7 PM. First, it is educational and inspirational to learn about. Secondly, this is an opportunity to help a specific ministry who reaches out to Jewish people with the gospel. You might remember God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12; I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will bless those who bless you—whoever curses you I will curse. And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Let’s not forget Abraham’s descendants through Isaac and Jacob, who eventually became known as the Jews. God still cares for them and we should too. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 9-11 how concerned he is for them. He also shared in chapter one that the “power of the gospel that is for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.”
This week we have a chance to support an organization that has shared the gospel with the Jewish people for over one hundred years. Their missionaries are themselves Jews who have received Jesus as Messiah. Imagine how difficult this last year has been with them not being able to make presentations. This is our chance to learn and to bless them. Though we don’t do it to get a blessing, God’s word still stands, “I will bless those who bless you.” Romans 11 puts it this way:
And so (in this way) all Israel will be saved “the one who rescues them will come from Zion and turn Israel away from ungodliness”… though many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. NLT
I hope to see you Friday night. Here is a prayer for this week:
Lord, thank you for your promises that can never be withdrawn. You have helped the Jewish people even when disobedient, but you still have greater plans to bless them. That is no different from us. You have been faithful to us believers in Jesus even when we have been disobedient. Help us all to come to unity in the faith of Jesus so that all of us can be fulfilled with abundant life.
Lord, please bless the work of Chosen People Ministry and others such as Jews for Jesus. Give them open doors and fresh opportunities to share the gospel. May we see a great turning of people to faith in Jesus the Messiah.
Lord, as the world around us grows darker, may your light shine through us even brighter. May we exclaim with Paul, “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond finding out.” We know you have a plan and that plan is good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.