Israel’s Need for the Gospel
Romans 10:1-21
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.” [Romans 10:14-15]
This is a classic scripture for missions. Everyone called to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a foreign land has this scripture burned in their hearts. However, it is not only a call to a foreign land but to all foreign to the good news of Jesus Christ. Missions encompasses places abroad and in our own backyards, even in our families and workplaces. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Every Christian is called to be a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those around them. We must therefore be equipped with the Gospel.
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” [Rom 10:8-13]
While this Gospel is for Jew and Gentile [ref. v.12], the greater context of Romans 9-11 is to the Jew. We must remember Israel’s need for the Gospel. It is the Jew that Paul is specifically reaching out to in Romans 10.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” [Rom 10:1]
As followers of Christ, Israel’s salvation should be our heart’s desire and prayer as well. God is not finished with Israel. Our Jewish friends need to hear the Gospel of Jesus in our words and lives.
