Thursday, 30 April 2015

Israel's Call and Yeshua

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One of the most wonderful studies that can be undertaken is that of the relationship of Yeshua to the nation of Israel. As the true representative of Israel, His life and teaching are integral to the life and heritage of the children of Jacob.

In the beginning of His ministry, Yeshua chose twelve disciples. To most observers, the twelve represent the nation of Israel with its twelve tribes. They are, therefore, representatives of Israel as well as the foundational teachers for a new universal and ingrafted people of God (see Eph. 2:20; Rom. 11:17-24).

Yeshua stated that He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ... This was not because Yeshua lacked concern for the rest of the world, but rather because Israel was called to be a nation of priests. As a light to the world, the Israelites were to be given the opportunity to be a light in responding first to Him who was the light of the world. Indeed, as representative Israel, Yeshua is the light to the nations as predicted (see Isa. 42:1-7), but Jews who responded to Him brought that light to the Gentiles and were themselves light.

Jewish Roots, Chapter Two: Israel's Call and the New Testament