Is God Finished with Israel?

          A friend of mine, Alan Turner, wrote a book which he titled, “Is God Finished with Israel?” Even a casual glance at the present-day international stage will confirm the fact that God is not finished with Israel; however, there is this deeper question: Is the church true Israel? Let me rephrase that question this way: In the heart of God, has the church become what He, apparently, intended for Israel, and, thus, in this sense, replaced her.

          Let me have one more try: Is the church, not merely the Israelites, His peculiar, chosen people? Is it possible that the Bride of Christ is what God had in mind from the foundation of the world?

          Regarding the former: the church will never replace Israel, as Israel will always exist, in spite of evidence that points to the contrary. I might add this: Israel, both the land and the people, has enjoyed a very special place in God’s heart, and this is not subject to change—ever.

          The question I want to get before you, however, is this: Is it possible that the church is true Israel? Is it possible that the Body of Christ, that Body that consists of both Greek (Gentile) and Jewish believers, is true Israel? Is it possible that God has only one family, and makes no distinction between His children?

          Paul had this to say: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:28-29 NASB). In my opinion this, at the very least, legitimizes my query.

          As you know, the Jews lived under what we call the Old Covenant, the covenant God made between Himself and Israel, the covenant of Law. One of the significant pieces of that covenant was Passover, the celebration of their freedom from Egyptian slavery. God gave very specific directions, as to how this feast was to be celebrated (see Exodus 12), and, to the best of their abilities, they followed His directions—year after year after year, with one exception.

          That exception occurred during the Passover meal Jesus was celebrating with His disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem—the night before the day of His crucifixion. It would be His last supper with them. The disciples, per Jesus’ directions, had set the table, just as it had been set every year since the Exodus, and they were expecting the usual Passover Meal. Jesus, however, had other plans—very unusual plans, plans that would not only move the disciples far out of their comfort zone, but also forever change the religious landscape.

          The unleavened bread and the cup of wine were on the table, per the usual Passover. Jesus, however, made some statements that were not usual. Listen carefully: “And He said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.’ And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood’ (Luke 22:15-20 NASB).

          Very obviously, Jesus put an end to the Feast of Passover and introduced another feast—the Feast of Grace. Shadow became substance! Throughout all the years, Passover had been pointing to this day, to this very moment, to this Lamb, the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world, and to the freedom from sin that He would provide for every believer—Jew and Gentile. This was, indeed, a moment of moments!

          In my opinion, this surely begs my query. Is the church true Israel? Is it possible, that, in this sense, the church has replaced Israel? The fact is this: there is but one Body of Christ, Jesus is its head, and it consists of every believer, both Jew and Gentile. It is this Body, the church, that He redeemed through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

          He does refer to us as His Bride, you know. Surely, His Bride is not a house divided against itself.

           

Please do what I am doing, and think about this—

         

         

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).