At the cross of Jesus Christ everything written in the law of Moses and the prophets was accomplished, (John 19:28).  At the cross of Jesus Christ Israel stumbled (1 Cor 1:23) and his disciples were scattered; few remained (John 19:25). At the cross of Jesus Christ people didn’t just weep, they bewailed and lamented, (Luke 23:27). At the cross of Jesus Christ death was swallowed up, (Heb 2:14-15; 1 Cor 15:54).  At the cross of Jesus Christ, our faith was in vain and we were still in our sins, (1 Cor 15:13-17).

BUT…three days later…!!

By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he proved he was God, (Rom 1:4).  By the resurrection, we have hope of eternal life, (Romans 6:5, Col 1:5). By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a mystery was revealed that had been hidden in God and kept secret since before the world began, (1 Cor 2:7, Eph 3:9, Col 1:26).  By the resurrection of Jesus Christ a new creature was made, (2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15).  By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the two bodies became one, (Eph 4:4).

If I’ve learned anything in the last two years it’s the importance of emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ when teaching about the salvation that God offers us in this glorious age of grace today, (1 Cor 15:1-4)   Don’t stop at the cross!  Yes, it was important!  Without the cross of Jesus Christ, there would be no resurrection, but we don’t mourn the cross of Christ, we glory in it as Paul did, being a minister for the joy and salvation that it brings by the resurrection, (1 Cor 1:23, 1 Cor 2:2)

God separated and chose Israel (Ex 19:5-6, Num 23:9, Deut 7:6-8) for the purpose of a future everlasting kingdom that would last forever on the earth. His promises and covenants were proof of that relationship because God had not dealt with or treated any other nation as he did Israel, (Ps 147:20, Eze 36:19-22, Mal 1:2).

Israel continually sinned against God and rejected his provisions.  They never held up their end of the bargain.  Here’s a short list:

II Kings 17:7-8  walked like the heathen Psalm 78:10-11  did not keep God’s covenant and laws Nehemiah 9:16-18  refused to obey Luke 13:34  rejected the prophets Matt 27:35  crucified their Messiah

Now we know how, by our question is still why?  Paul gives these reason in Romans Chapter 11.

“I say then, have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” 11:11

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” 11:32

“… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” 11:25

In order for all men to be saved, God worked through Israel’s rejection, keeping it a secret since before the world began because had the enemies of Christ known about the amazing two-fold plan of God they would not have killed Jesus, and without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have no hope of salvation.  Look at this verse, it rocked my world!

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor 2:7-8  (emphasis mine)