Caleb’s Call

Connecting to believers….

“Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10

We are experiencing a time of great revelation in our generation. The Church is coming alive to the Jewish roots of her faith and are learning that “if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (Romans 15:27)

Genesis 12:3 is re-shaping the world Christian landscape. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” We are understanding the need to bless the Jewish people – this chosen family of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob who have borne the weight of hatred from the Christian community for centuries of forced conversions, cruel accusations and mocking, crusades, pogroms, inquisitions, and the holocaust. With increased force we are standing with the nation of Israel, not because of any political position, but because she is God’s chosen nation to bring blessings to the world.

We have re-read the admonition from the prophet Isaiah and are appropriating it to ourselves. “You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth (62:8).” We are listening to the plea of the Psalmist (122:6), “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”

Some of us go so far as to pray the prayer from Psalm 137:5, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”

Amidst the turmoil and terror, these are good days. God is bringing revelation to our hearts. Praise God for every believer in Jesus and every believing organization around the world who love the Jewish people and who support the resurrected State of Israel. Thank God for the tens of thousands of international believers who bring both financial and moral support to the Jewish people.

But I would like to challenge you to take the next step. Notice carefully Paul’s words to the Galatians, “especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

There is a neglected group of people among many Zionists – the Jewish believers in Jesus.

Thousands of Christians visit Israel annually. Most never touch a Jewish believer. Some do not even know they exist, nor that they are often poor and often harassed because of their faith in Jesus.

Tens of thousands attend rallies designed to bring unity between Christians and Jews. Jewish believers in Jesus are rarely if ever invited to these functions, sometimes out of fear that the unity movement might be thwarted. Imagine that in the context of life during the time of the apostles.

Thank God for Christian Zionists, but let’s take the next step. Develop relationships with “the family of believers.” With them we are doubly related: 1) as grafted-in members of their family and 2) as family members who share in the faith that Jesus is the Messiah.

Let us not ignore those clear words of Paul. That is “Caleb’s Call.” Let us help connect you to Jewish people who have come to faith in Yeshua. Remember them with your own personal support, with that of your home congregation, and from any foundations over which you have authority. Continue to support every God-ordained ministry designed to bring together these centuries-long estranged community of God-believers, but do good “especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”