Israel Needs The Gospel

Commentary

In this passage we find several reasons why the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah. For many years they had known the Old Testament prophecies and had practiced the Law which pointed them to Christ (Galatians 3:24). A few accepted Him, but the majority refused Him. The reasons were as follows:

 

1. They did not feel a need for salvation (v. 1).  Israel would have welcomed political salvation from Rome but didn’t see any need for spiritual salvation from her own sin.

2. They were zealous for God (v. 2). However, their zeal was not based on knowledge. No matter how sincere or devout a person is, this will never save a soul.

3. They were proud and self-righteous (v. 3). The Jews were proud of their own good works and would not admit that they were sinners.

4. They misunderstood their own law (v. 4). The Law told them they were sinners in need of a Savior. But instead of letting the Law bring them to Christ (Galatians 3:24), they worshiped their Law and rejected the Savior.

 

Paul’s one desire was that the Jews might be saved. If we are to bring people to Christ our attitude must be the same. A great present-day preacher called preaching “pleading with men.” We need to remember that Jesus wept over Jerusalem. It is easy to blast the sinner with angry words, but like Paul, we need to remember to speak the truth in love. 

 

Application

Do you know of any religious groups today that have fallen into the same trap? I need to be very careful about becoming proud and self-righteous and having a set of rules to follow, but literally leave Christ out of my life.