How the battle for Israel’s salvation is reflected in the faith walk of Gentile Christians.
by Charles Gardner.
In the days and weeks leading up to Easter/Passover, I was part of a team involved in an exciting citywide gospel mission.
My involvement was specifically related to the production of an evangelistic newspaper1 including powerful testimonies of personal encounters with Christ.
As I delivered hundreds of copies to homes in my part of town, I wondered why I soon felt exhausted. As a regular runner, I should not have been the least bit troubled by all the walking required.
Then it came to me. I wasn’t just being a postman; I was involved in a serious wrestling match. For every paper would present a challenge to follow God’s ways and become a disciple of Jesus.
It may have been unseen to the natural eye, but there was an almighty battle taking place for the souls of men and women behind these closed doors. Would they hear the voice of Jesus knocking on the door of their hearts?
The biblical patriarch Jacob wrestled with God all night, determined to receive his blessing. But his hip was wrenched in the struggle, and he was left with a lifelong limp as a perpetual reminder that, with God’s help, he had overcome obstacles to spiritual success. And his name was changed to Israel because he had struggled with God and with man and had overcome (Genesis 32:28).
I pray that many of my neighbours will have a similar vital encounter with the living God as they read of those who have overcome the devil’s snares by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11).
They will undoubtedly be involved in a wrestling match in their bid to overcome doubt, fear, pride, sin, shame and many other factors. But the struggle will be worth it. For the Promised Land of freedom, forgiveness and an eternity with God awaits them. (And I am thinking about Israel’s salvation as much as that of Gentile believers who, through faith in Jesus, are grafted onto the olive tree of God’s chosen people).
The Apostle Paul also refers to our gospel mission as a wrestling match. In his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, he writes: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Jacob’s battle transformed him into Israel, which became a mighty nation under God, prone to disobedience at times, but remaining his treasured possession and the apple of his eye.
I guess the limp he sustained was there to remind him of his dependence on God, not on horses and chariots and the things of this world. And the wrestling is not a one-off, but a reminder that we continue to be engaged in a fierce spiritual battle.
But signs that the Lord has gone before us to prepare the way are there to encourage us. On my ‘heavenly’ paper round, one home had a poster calling on neighbours to vote for a mayoral candidate whose testimony just happened to be included. Another was an obvious fan of a famous football club, whose highly successful manager was also featured for his faith in Jesus!
The Middle East conflict can be traced all the way back to the days of Isaac, Jacob’s father, and his brother Ishmael. Isaac, rather than Ishmael, was the son of divine promise, and we are still witnessing the raging battle questioning God’s choice.
Successive miraculous encounters – from the Red Sea crossing to the modern-day return of Jews in fulfilment of prophecy, along with victory against the odds in a series of unprovoked wars – has proved conclusively that God is with them.
But the nations, even in the West, are still refusing to accept the divine verdict. It’s a cross Israel must bear.
Yes, but they are not following Jesus, I hear you say. Well, the man they crucified is coming back to rule and reign from Jerusalem – but it won’t happen until all his people are back in the land to welcome him and acknowledge him as Messiah.
That’s why all the hordes of hell are trying to stop it happening by driving the Jews into the sea. It’s a wrestling match that Israel is bound to win, with God’s help, and it’s time what is left of the Judeo-Christian West backed them up.
Israel’s national rebirth will be followed by a spiritual breakthrough, for which I continue to pray, along with revival in the UK. If you’re wrestling with God over his plans for salvation, you’re in a good place!
1New Life – see www.newlife.co.uk