Conclusion Salvation is of the Jews

Standing before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor that could release Jesus from death, Pilate asked, "Art Thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest [or, It is as you say]" (Matthew 27:11). The evidence is great as to what Jesus claimed for Himself. It is only left to us to answer Pilate's question for ourselves, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Mt 27:22). May the LORD preserve us from answering as did the chief priests, the elders, and the multitude, "Let Him be crucified" (Mt 27:22).

The Old Testament emphasized the necessity of blood in cleansing from sin. "And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). In the New Testament, the blood of Christ is necessary to cleanse us from our sins. "But if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1John 1:7). Pontius Pilate sensed his own blood-guiltiness in condemning Jesus to death. "23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath He done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this Just Person: see ye to it" (Matthew 27:23-24). But, the Jews who shouted for the crucifixion of the LORD Jesus, exclaimed, "His blood be on us, and on our children" (27:25). The sad history of Israel until recent times has been testimony that Israel has traditionally accepted responsibility-- without repentance-- for the death of Jesus, who claimed to be Israel's Messiah. "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am" (John 8:58).

How do we, the Church, repay our debt to Israel? "14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:14-16). Pray for Israel's Salvation. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Psalm 122:6).

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