Under the Blood

I have a great affinity for the nation of Israel, and Jewish people in general.  Sometimes I wonder why, I’ve known Jewish people, but I think it’s the fact that they are, in essence, our older siblings in faith.  We Christians have deep spiritual roots, and a familial connection to our Jewish brothers and sisters.  When you consider that this mighty nation has been around for thousands of years before Christ, fought bitter wars, endured captivity in alien nations, and survived Hitler’s brutality, I am amazed.  You won’t find any Hittites or Tishbites today, but the Israelites remain.  I am amazed! But I shouldn't be.  God’s covenant promises to Abraham and Moses are still valid.  These are the same people that received manna in the desert,  supernatural protection from their enemies, and were spared when the Death Angel passed over their blood covered door-frames   Ah yes, the blood,  it was the core of God’s sacrificial system then, and it is now.  Consider these verses from Exodus 12:22-23. “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.” The promise of life was made only to those who were under the blood.  Sound familiar?  We too have been given new life only when we place ourselves under the blood of Christ. As the timeline to Armageddon hurdles forward, the nation of Israel will be in the headlines, more and more as God continues to make good on the old covenant. There is a verse that keeps returning to me, one that I like to think of as the “booster shot” for the Jewish believers.  When the throngs were pleading with Pilate to crucify Jesus, he symbolically “washed his hands”, telling the people the responsibility for his death was now their’s.  All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Matthew 27:25.  I’ve never heard anyone preach on that powerful statement, but think about it, they were willing to be covered by His blood.  Now I know that’s not what they meant, but the result is, to me, astonishing, they too are under his blood!  Let us continue to honor the nation of Israel and her people, as we await Christ’s return. I thank God for the gift of salvation, which can only be found when we are under the blood.