“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach… He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
(Titus 1:7-9)
The death of Pope Francis has made us think about the responsibility of Church leaders and their handling of God’s Word. Christianity is the world’s largest religion, it was founded by God through the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, yet the majority of Christians have little understanding of the importance of Israel in God’s plans and purposes today.
Christians celebrated Easter over the past weekend as the Jewish people celebrated Passover. A fundamental understanding of Jesus being the lamb who was slain for our sins links back to the story in Exodus of the Israelites smearing blood on their doorposts to protect them from the angel of death. Jesus became our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) and the Last Supper occurred during the Passover Seder.
Why does this deep connection seem like a hidden mystery to so many followers of Jesus? Why do so many Christians not realise that Jesus was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died as a Jew, and is known eternally as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Church leaders, including the late Pope and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, have played a role in furthering this disconnection from Israel. They have failed to preach Biblical truth, have attacked Israel in public, and even gained the accolades of Israel’s enemies who seek the destruction of God’s people.
CUFI is part of a remnant that is standing firm on Biblical truth and it is our mission to open the eyes of Christians to see God’s heart for Israel. Please pray that we will be effective in this mission. That many Christians will gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish roots of their faith through our teachings. Pray that we will unite Christians in prayer and blessings over Israel. And pray that God will raise up Christian leaders throughout the world who will stand for the truth of the Bible without fear or compromise.
