So, we've been talking about Israel being “God's timepiece.” Prophecy is being fulfilled that will count down to the return of Christ and the nation of Israel will be in the center of it. So last week we talked about “Redemption” …. God told Israel to kill a lamb and smear it on the blood posts and the angel of death would pass over- it’s a symbol of Christ our Lamb, who was killed for us to redeem us from the slave market of sin so that we can be free to serve Him.
So, we ask ourselves: Do all Jews/Israelites have a special status with God? It's important to recall regarding the Israelites that: God calls them his firstborn; all of the prophets came from Israel; the entire 66 books of the Bible were written by 40 Jewish writers ... .and Jesus is a Jew.
Yet we understand their relationship to God is founded on obedience and faith. Jews and Gentiles must be related by blood, that is the blood of Christ - they must have faith in Jesus in order to be considered God's children. When Israel left Egypt, God gave Moses instructions on how to atone for sin through the sacrificing of animals and shedding their blood. Sacrificial blood is mentioned 18 times in Exodus; 60 times in Leviticus: blood is shed for atoning, sheltering, cleansing, sanctification, and consecration.
Atonement is the main reason for shedding blood….making atonement is satisfying someone for an offense committed. God says in Leviticus 17:11” For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls;”
Even today, the rabbis say that the sacrifices you bring to God are good deeds and study of the Torah and an offering. And all those are all good; but these will never cleanse the heart from sin. The only way that we can atone for sin and receive forgiveness is through the blood of Christ. Hebrews 9: 28 But now, once for all time, He (Christ) has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.
Paul says that just being born into the family is not enough…you must be bound by blood. Romans 9:6b No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! 7 Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children.
And then Paul gives the method of how to be a part of God’s chosen family: Romans 10:9…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved….. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Bound by Blood.”
Blessings,
Kevin
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