Messiah, forgive them and have mercy on them. They don't see you yet, but I recognize your master plan in bringing the gentiles to you, the God of Israel, and during this time they have hard hearts and strong ties to tradition and man-made religion. Bring them back to you -- not in some distant century, but in modern day! I want to see this while I'm still alive!
Master Messiah, it hurts to see them like this. Show yourself and your power to them, that there will be no denying Yeshua HaMoshiach, Messiah of Israel, Hope of Israel, Suffering Servant, son of Joseph, son of David. Show yourself to your people Israel, so that they'll know the Lord their God is with them and that Messiah is for them, not against them. Heal the wounds inflicted by both Christianity and Judaism; over the centuries we've persecuted Israel in your name, Messiah, can you ever forgive us for that terrible thing? And now it's in full turn: Israel persecutes Messiah. If you can forgive us, forgive them. Heal these wounds and tie us together as one body, a complete Israel: both Jews and those grafted in by Messiah. Show yourself to Jerusalem! Reveal Messiah to Tel-Aviv! Let all Israel know that Messiah lives, the God of Israel and the son of David stands with them even today! So be it!
I'm reminded of what Paul said in his letter to the Romans regarding Jews who've reject Messiah:
I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what's going on and arrogantly assume that you gentile believers in Messiah are royalty and the Jews are just rabble, out of God's plans for good. But that's not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is only temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the gentiles so that we end up with a full house. Before it's all over, there will be a complete Israel, Jews and gentiles the same, together making up a holy people for God. As it is written,
A champion will stride down from Mt. Zion;
he'll clean up the unrighteousness in Israel.
Here's my commitment to my people Israel:
removal of their sins.
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Messiah, it almost looks like Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never canceled, never rescinded.
There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God: living rebelliously, doing whatever felt good, living for yourself. But then Jews slammed the door on Messiah and things opened up for you. Now Jews are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.
What amazing wisdom! Giving discipline to those who rebel and generous grace to those who are lost, making us all come back to Him, one way or another.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor
that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes!