Another reason why the Jews en masse do not believe in Christ is Blindness Many Jews do not believe in Jesus the Messiah, because they cannot honestly see in Him the Messiah of Israel. They are blind spiritually. There are four main passages in the Bible on spiritual blindness; two relate to the Gentiles and two to the Jews. In Isaiah 25:7 R. V., it is recorded: “And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations.” Paul states, after he has concluded his word on Israel’s blindness: “ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbeliev ing, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them,” (2 Cor. 4:3, 4 R. V.) The passage that relates to Israel’s blindness is Romans 11:25 R. V. which reads: “ For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Another text which treats of the same matter is Second Corinthians 3:14, 15 (R. V.) which in forms us that “ until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.” Thus, when the gospel is explained and given to the Jew, we must pray mightily that the blindness may be removed from his eyes. We do not help blind men by placing stumbling-blocks in their way. When they turn to the Lord (2 Cor. 3:16) the blindness of the Jewish heart is removed. A minister was preaching on Glasgow Green once when someone asked per mission to speak, and made his way to the platform. “ Friends,” he said, “ I do not believe what this man has been talk ing about. I do not believe in a hell, in a judgment, in a God, for I never saw any of them.” He continued talking in this way for a while, when another voice was heard from the crowd. “May I speak?” The infidel sat down; the next man began. “ Friends, you say there is a river running not far from this place, the River Clyde. There is no such thing; it is not true. You tell me that there are grass and trees growing around me where I now stand; there is no such thing; that also is untrue. You tell me that there are a great many people standing here. Again, I say that is not true; there is no person standing here except myself. I suppose you wonder what I am talking about; but, friends, I was born blind. I never have seen any of you, and while I talk it only shows that I am blind or I would not say such things. And you, ” he said, as he turned to the infidel, “ the more you talk, the more it exposes your own ignor ance, because you are spiritually blind, Page Fourteen
and cannot see. Dear friends, by faith ye are saved. In Christ you will find life and love and everlasting joy.” A last reason why Jews don’t believe in Christ is Ignorance Some may be surprised to know that many Jews do not believe in Jesus the Messiah, because they have never heard the gospel. True, they may have taken the blessed Name in vain or heard others do so, but how many have truly heard the simple, clear story of the gospel? Comparatively few. How could they know when they do not go to church, have never been witnessed to, and do not realize the message is intended for them also? Too often we hear the statement, A ND there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them . . . And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day . . . a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14). The glory of the Lord came to com mon people, in an ordinary place, as they performed a lowly duty. And yet the splendor of it shone round about them and transformed them, the place, and their work, into a blaze of celestial glory! They were the first recipients of God’s Glad Tidings, and of that great resultant joy. It was they who first heard the angels sing, and who saw the wonder of the Incarnate King of the Ages—just common people like you and me! And yet the marvel of that mystery reaches out from the first glad Christ mas night, through almost two thousand dark and troubled years, up to the very doorsteps of 1953! We, too, can look up from our lowly tasks in our humble walks of life and hear Heavenly News, join in an angel chorus, be encompassed with the very glory of God, and see with the inner vision the blinding beauty of the King of kings and Lord of lords! What joy unspeakable and full of glory for just plain folk like us! We who have knelt at the manger in adoration and worship of our Great God and Saviour, in total abandonment of heart, will, and life, experience a day- by-day and moment-by-moment “ round about” encirclement of the power and glory of God in precious abiding reality.
“ Christianity is for the Gentiles.” Jews should be told again and retold that the gospel and salvation of Jesus the Mes siah is for them and they must have it. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-15 R. V.) Have you ever performed your glori ous task of giving the message of re deeming grace in love to the Jew? How is he to know if not told? Why not give the Lord Jesus Christ a Christmas pres ent this year by showing a loving person al interest in His “ kinsmen according to the flesh” ?
★ ★ ★ “Round About Them-Glory" By E. Frederick Mertens
Whether walking down a crowded street, working behind our desks at the office, or performing household chores—it mat ters not the time or place—the con sciousness of His Presence presses in upon us like the soft, sweet shelter of an enveloping cloud. So are we always en folded with His love! Through the monotony of oft-repeated duty, the hardness of living, the pain of mental and physical suffering, bereave ment of friends and loved ones, in all the necessities, agonies, disappointments and heartaches, frustrations and bitter ness, loss and limitations, hopes de ferred, desires denied, and dreams for ever unfulfilled, still the glory of the Lord is ever round about us, and more than suffices for all our need! Amidst all the big tragedy of our little lives, the stately steppings of the still majesty of His Presence bring the strengthening beauty of His Peace. I have never stood at my long watch in the night without being baptized with the glory of the love of God, and of just God Himself! He has more than proven that He is everything—all in all —and that His glory alone is the hub and goal of the universe, and of my small life! To know Him, to love Him, to be His alone, and to do His will so that in and through all things we may “gather glory” to God, and then spend it lav ishly upon all others—this, indeed, is the joy and triumph of living! But, if by some strange chance, we are still keeping our watch in the cold blackness of an unlighted night, then behold! Good News! Good News! Our blindness can give way to Light, our deafness to Heavenly harmonies, and our hearts to unending praises; for we, too, can see the matchless majesty of the King, kneel at His feet in worship and acclaim, and forever know the splendor shining round about us of the beauty and the glory of the Lord! T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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