One New Man

At the very first of the foundation of the Church, both Jew and Gentile came together. But that didn't last for long and throughout the ensuing years, the Church has been the domain of the Gentile. Some have even taught that the Church has replaced Israel. But the Church will never reach her full potential as the Bride of Christ unless this condition changes. Paul reveals a purpose in the crucifixion of Christ that we must experience - Jew and Gentile becoming 'one new man'.

This process is much like a marriage: a man and a woman becoming one. The man brings his special characteristics to the marriage and the woman brings hers and then God works something new, something stronger, something out of which can come new life. Each must die to their selfish individualism for the sake of the newness out of which can come abundant life. I can personally testify that after nearly 50 years of faithful marriage, I have much more than I ever had alone. I believe my wife can say the same. Were there ever struggles? Surely! Death to the old never comes easily.

Jesus, the Messiah, had this in mind for us when He was willing to suffer the cross because of what He saw in the future - a bride. But, first, Jew and Gentile must become one new man. The new life will have something of each in it.

As I am a Gentile believer, I have been asking the Lord how I must change. He has told me the I do not carry the root, but it carries me. There are blessings I have not claimed that were purchased for me as I have been united with the commonwealth of Israel and promises I have missed because of lack of understanding the covenants. I long to know them and enter into them.

My Jewish brothers and sisters who have believed in Yeshua have much to gain from realizing the freedom given to them in the cross. They can enter into the fulfillment of promises made long ago to them. As Paul, Peter, and John saw new life in the new covenant, they can see new life in the oneness of the new man.

I'm not sure what will happen as this transformation begins to take place, will the child look more like the father or more like the mother, but it will be like life from the dead! The Church will not consist of dead rituals and confessions without reality - it will be a living organism. People will know Jesus is alive by the signs and wonders they see and they will look forward to meeting together to witness the moving of the Holy Spirit.

Will you join with me in praying that this will be a reality in our day?