Calendar

JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION, ISRAEL’S SALVATION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Matthew 21:33-46

1 Peter 2:6-9

 

“…The stone which
the builders rejected, the same

is become the head of the corner…”

 

JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION, ISRAEL’S SALVATION
 
The parable of the wicked farmer was specifically addressed to the nation of Israel. Israel was a theocracy, a nation ruled by God. God appointed kings in Israel to rule on His behalf as shepherds. When the kings departed from God and His ways, the Lord sent His servants, the prophets, to call the people to repent and return to God. But they killed His prophets each time they were sent. In the divided kingdom, Ephraim had twenty kings, all of them bad, while Judah had nineteen with a handful of good ones, the majority being bad. Those wicked kings were known for persecuting and killing God’s prophets (see Jer 20:1-2; 37:15; 38:6; 1 Kings 19:10; 22:24; 2 Chron 24:21). Finally, God sent His only beloved Son, and they slew Him too (cf. John 11:47-53). History led to prophecy. Not only did Jesus speak on how wickedly Israel had dealt with God’s prophets in the past, He also told them how they would shortly treat the Prophet of prophets in an even worse manner. They would arrest Him, take Him outside the walls of Jerusalem, and crucify Him. What would happen soon to Jesus does not spell defeat but victory. Quoting Psalm 118:22-23, Jesus said that their rejection of Him would bring about His people’s salvation (cf. 1 Pet 2:6-9).
 
Jesus then pronounced judgment on the nation of Israel, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” What was this nation of which Jesus spoke? It was a reference to the church local. Peter called it a “holy nation” (1 Pet 2:9). Israel would be set aside temporarily in the church age. The church local, comprising believers of all nations, would take her place in the work of evangelism. The Church presently enjoys the spiritual benefits of the new covenant which can only be appropriated by faith in Christ (Col 1:13). Nevertheless, one day the nation of Israel will be restored. Israel will then experience not only the spiritual but also the physical blessings of the new covenant God had promised her (Jer 31:31; Rom 11:25). On that day, when Christ returns, Israel will acknowledge Him as Saviour and Lord, and will take part in His coming millennial reign on earth (Rev 5:10; 20:6).
 
THOUGHT: Evil can never thwart the plan of God.
PRAYER: O Father, I praise Thee for working all things well to the glory of Thy name.

Search