'Jewish evangelism is crucial to world evangelisation'

Romans 11 confronts us with one of Scripture’s great paradoxes: God brings life out of death. Israel’s stumbling became salvation for the nations, and one day Israel’s restoration will mean “life from the dead” for the whole world. This mystery is not a theological puzzle – it is a mission challenge to the church.

Paul writes that God allowed Israel to experience a “spirit of stupor”, and many ask why. Why would the people chosen to be a light to the nations be blinded to the Messiah? Paul gives the answer: “Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles – to make Israel envious.” Israel’s loss became our gain. Out of their rejection came reconciliation. Out of death came life. It is the pattern of the cross itself.

But this passage is not simply explaining history – it is revealing God’s ongoing plan. Israel’s fall opened a door for the nations to enter God’s covenant family, and then to love the Jewish people back toward their Messiah. The church’s calling is unmistakable: do not forget my people, Israel. Do not despise them, ignore them, or assume God has replaced them. Their very survival testifies to God’s enduring covenant love.

Paul presses further: “If their transgression means riches for the world, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!” A spiritual awakening among the Jewish people will unleash global blessing. Paul describes nothing less than worldwide revival – “life from the dead”! And the church has been given a role in God’s unfolding purpose.

Sadly, this is where the church has often failed. Instead of provoking Israel to envy through radiant faith, sacrificial love, and prayerful witness, Christian history has too often provoked them to sorrow and anguish. Paul’s words still cry out: “I am talking to you Gentiles!” His challenge has not expired. The church was called to stir Israel to longing, not drive them away.

I know this calling is real because it happened in my own life. I am a Jewish Christian because a Christian friend obeyed God and challenged me to read the Bible. His peace, his joy, and his relationship with God provoked me to jealousy. I wanted what he had. Christians in his church prayed for my salvation every day for a year. And as I wrestled with Scripture, the Holy Spirit wrestled with me. When I finally encountered Jesus in the pages of Matthew’s Gospel, it was life from the dead for me!

And what God did in me, He is doing in Jewish lives around the world. But He chooses to work through Christians who love the Jewish people enough to share Jesus with them.

Paul warns Gentile believers not to become proud. Israel’s hardening is only partial and temporary. A day is coming when “all Israel will be saved”, when the Deliverer turns godlessness away from Jacob. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. God looks at blindness and brings sight; He looks at rejection and brings restoration.

This is the divine circulation of grace. The gospel first flowed from Jewish believers into a dying world, giving life to the nations. Now God calls the life of the gospel to flow from the nations back to Israel, so that the gospel can pulse out again to the ends of the earth.

That is why Jewish evangelism is so crucial to world evangelisation. When we pray for the salvation of Jewish people, when we support missions reaching them, when we share Jesus with humility and courage, we take part in God’s great mission. Every act of gospel-sharing love moves the world one step closer to “life from the dead”!

The world looks dark for Jewish people right now, but God has not forgotten His people or His plan. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead will raise a people again – and through them, the world – to new life.

So let us pray: “Lord, let your mercy flow again – from the nations back to Israel – until the whole earth is alive and full with your glory.” That will then truly be life from the dead!