I am For Israel

Scripture:
God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32

Observation: Simeon, the old man who has been promised that he will live to see Messiah, beholds a two-month-old Jesus, and makes this joyful declaration. Messiah is the promised coming of salvation from the Lord. Jesus will bring these two elements to the people of the earth; To gentiles he will be a light that reveals God to everyone, and to Jews he will bring glory upon them as a nation.

The good news of salvation through belief in Jesus has certainly been a light to the world. It is by the gospel message that most of the world now believes in Yahweh, and even those who do not believe often have some context about the God of Israel we know to be the creator of the universe.

That said, it is interesting to declare the Jesus is the "glory" to Israel, knowing that many in Israel would reject him. Even still this is a point of contention for the Jews, many stating that belief in Jesus actually makes someone non-Jewish. However, the point is likely the fact that the Jewish people are forever now tied to the fate of all mankind. Yes, Jews have always had a level of importance beyond their size, in good and bad ways. In ancient times, their existence on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea was contested by many. More currently, they are at the heart of news and conflicts, despite the fact their nation didn't even exist for 1,900 years.

It is by the gospel that the world understands the importance of Israel, even for those who don't believe the gospel, and this should seem like another indicator of Jesus' truth.

Application: I will and do continue to pray for Israel. And I pray our nation will both as a formal body, and as individuals, declare ourselves firmly aligned to Israel. It may be difficult to comprehend and understand God's plan for mankind, but it is easy to understand the fact he works through Israel for much of it. I am for God, and I am for Jesus, so I am for Israel.

Prayer: Lord, may you be with Israel and the Jewish people today and every day. Turn away the hate that comes at them from others with both your forceful might and your amazing love. May your Shalom prevail. Amen.