One might wonder why we so often go to Israel and other Jewish areas for ministry and outreach.  In order to understand our practice let me share first our passionate priorities in our service for Messiah. Our motivation to serve in Israel is reflected in Paul’s own statement on this very same subject in Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”

Passion for Israel
The word “desire” is eudokia in the original Greek and can also be translated well-pleased, will, pleasure, and satisfaction (Matthew 11:26; 2 Thess. 1:11; Phil. 1:15; 2:13; Eph. 1:5, 9). When Paul speaks of his heart’s desire he is in fact talking about the will and purpose of his heart. Paul’s passion for Israel came from a heart surrendered to the will of God, not from any mere fleshly loyalty. The love of Messiah controlled his heart, and so Paul had Messiah’s concern for Israel upon his heart (2 Cor. 5:14). It was not merely an intellectual or "theological" regard for Israel, but rather Paul’s theology was the articulation of God’s unfailing passion and purpose for the Jewish people (Romans 11:1-5). If one has a theology without a passion for the very truth it represents, than theology may be simply an intellectual substitute for genuine life in Messiah. 

Prayer for Israel
Immediately after acknowledging the national rejection of Messiah by his brethren according to the flesh in Romans 9:31-33, Paul passionately prays that the Jewish people “may be saved" (Romans 10:1). Paul knew that the spiritual situation was far from hopeless for them despite their present national unbelief, for he also shared their rejection of Messiah Yeshua before he was miraculously saved (Acts 9:3-6). Therefore, Paul had faith to believe God’s promises. God had promised that one day Israel will look unto Yeshua and be saved (Zechariah 12:10).  Paul passion for Israel’s salvation resulted from faith in the unfailing promises of God; and his prayers reflected his passion. Please note in Romans 10: 1 that both his "desire" and "prayer"  are expressed in the singular, not plural. Since his desire and prayer come together as a unity of one in his soul. For us as well our passion and prayers are not two different things, but are  the root and fruit of the same tree or two sides of the same spiritual coin.

The word for “prayer” means to want or to beg. It is used for a plea or entreaty when addressed to God as a prayer, request, petition or supplication. In my mind’s eye I can almost see Paul during his morning and evening devotions beseeching God and pleading for Israel’s salvation. Each of us need to re-evaluate our prayers and see if our passion results from fervent faith in God’s promises? Do our prayers for Israel reflect our passion for God’s concerns and eternal love for His people?

Practice toward Israel
With this kind of passion and prayer that are based on God’s promises for Israel, we can easily understand Paul’s practice and ministry to the Jewish people. He wanted them to be saved, and the Lord glorified as the Faithful  One to Israel (Romans 11:26-27). Even as the Apostle to the Gentiles, his ministry was “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16) because it is also first in the heart of God (Jeremiah 31:3). Paul accordingly prioritized it in his own soul and agenda. He made it a point to find Jewish people with whom to share Messiah (Acts 13:46; 14:1; 16:13). Paul's consistent practice may be easier to understand in light of his theology. However, what is harder to understand are those believers who say that the love of Messiah controls their hearts, and yet whose practice is not geared toward the salvation of Jewish people.

The message of the Good News is for all nations, yet it is still a Jewish message with a Jewish priority (Acts 17:17). Therefore, regardless if you are called to Nigeria, France, China, or Pakistan, you still have a message that is “to the Jew first.” What this means is you have a responsibility to love Jewish people, reach out to Jewish people wherever you may be, to teach and disciple believers of the Jewish essence of the Good News, and to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6).

We want to imitate Paul in his zeal for the salvation of Jewish people, and therefore we are setting a priority to pray and reach out to Jewish people everywhere including in Israel. We see that Messiah’s love will control our hearts and make it a priority to serve Israel because of His promises.

On a  personal note, we want to thank you for praying for our recent  ministry trip to Israel which included meeting with couples and individuals as well as teaching seminars in different areas and outreach in several different congregations located near Tel Aviv, in Jerusalem and in the Negev. We appreciate you standing with us for Israel.

Every year on the fourteenth day of Adar (March) Jewish people around the world celebrate Purim (“Lots”). We learn about Purim in the book of Esther.
This book is unique in the Bible in that the name of God is never mentioned. The events described in the book of Esther take place fifty years after Cyrus permitted the Jewish people to leave Babylon and return to the Promised Land (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4), and is written about those Jews that did not heed the call of God and return to the land of Israel.

Esther and Mordecai were among those who, out of convenience or preference, decided to remain in Persia and not return to the land of Israel. Although God is faithful to His promises and will always providentially secure His people, nonetheless neglecting God’s call may lead to a downward spiritual spiral.  Consider Esther’s response to Mordecai when given the news of an official decree of her people’s destruction; and that she is their apparent hope:

All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days. (Esther 4:11)

With her people’s existence threatened, why does Esther respond in such a self-serving manner? The point is not to merely sit in judgment: she is no worse than any of us! But she is one of us and, like any of us, Esther was concerned more for her own safety than the safety of her people.  What made such a change in Esther that she would risk it all to help her people? The truth of Mordecai’s challenge encouraged Esther’s timid heart.
First, he challenged the false security of her perception: “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews.” Esther could not live in a fantasy world where her cowardice would provide a means of escape. The foolish find their sense of satisfaction, significance and even their feeling of security in their vain imagination (Proverbs 18:11). This vanity of the mind assumes our disobedience to God will actually be our protection. People believe that their lies will protect—even promote them. However, we cannot insulate ourselves from God.

Finally, Mordecai challenged the false security of Esther’s position: “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Esther had married Ahasuerus, the most powerful man of his time. Did she think that this marriage and queenly position would provide her with the security her soul needed? Sometimes people marry to fulfill their lives only to find that they are still just as lonely and empty. Neither marriage, nor career, nor wealth can fulfill a life. It is not the palace, but the promises of God which can satisfy our desires. As the Scripture states, “My God shall supply all your needs through His riches and glory in Messiah Yeshua” (Philippians 4:19), and “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Earlier, she was indifferent to Scriptural details. Since Esther was Jewish, she would have kept dietary restrictions according to the Law of Moses. However, the food that would have been provided in the King’s palace was definitely not kosher. When she was provided with food she did not refuse (Esther 2:9). 

God can use anyone and, in this case, brought problems to break up Esther’s self-centered life. God permitted Haman, a vicious anti-Semite  to shake up Esther’s world.
Though Mordecai exhorted her to intercede with the king on behalf of her people, Esther wanted no part of any plan that would endanger her. It was risky to go uninvited into the king’s presence. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus confirms this Persian custom that anyone who approached the king uninvited would be put to death—unless pardoned by the king.  Mordecai had one last challenge to the Queen.

Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13-14)

As a result of Mordecai’s exhortation, Esther repented, pleaded to the king on behalf of her people’s welfare and the Jewish people were then preserved from extinction once again (Esther 4:15-16; 7:3-6; 9:20-25).

True Security
Our jobs, status in life, wealth, and connections are not our security, but mere opportunities to share the Messiah. Our only true security is in our saving relationship with God. Let us not live as if we believe otherwise. Esther’s position as Queen was not her security, but the opportunity providentially given by God. The most secure place is not within the walls of a palace, but in the will of God. Esther’s problem was imagining the fantasy of a spiritual middle ground, but there is no middle ground with God.
Praise the Lord that Esther finally repents—“I will go into the king” (Esther 4:16). God brought a disobedient woman to repentance in order to save His people and demonstrate His faithfulness. 

What then is the message of the Purim story? Simply this: God is faithful to keep His people by using any ordinary person who will repent, trust, and serve Him. God wants to use you today just as He used Esther long ago. Perhaps Mordecai’s Purim challenge to Esther is God’s challenge to you as well. Be spiritually pro-active in life—in your family, community, and congregation. Do not keep silent; rather, share God’s love in Yeshua with others.
(Excerpted from the Messiah in the Feasts of Israel book, now also available on Kindle)