To the Jew first

As a leader in Christian mission to Jewish people, I often hear people quote Romans 1:16 where Paul writes, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.’

But recently I was asked to speak from Paul’s corresponding words a few verses later in 2:9 where he writes: ‘There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.’

I was surprised when I read these words anew – how had they never had an equal impact me? God’s judgment is coming for all who do evil – to the Jew first. Why the priority?

Salvation came to Israel first, or as Paul writes later in 9:4, ‘Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.’

But Israel went the way we all go, even from the beginning – whether it was worshipping the golden calf, refusing to enter the Promised Land, idol worship, or denying Jesus. Israel is a picture of humanity choosing its own way, just as our father Adam did in the Garden.

And so comes God’s judgment. In the Bible, we see Israel exiled from the Land. Exile is a sign to all people that there is an eternal exile. Jesus said: ‘There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out’ (Luke 13:28).

I take comfort in Jesus’ warnings about coming judgment – they remind the living that there is still hope and God wants to save. Yes, ‘there will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile’, but the gospel is ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.’

God can and will save Jewish people as he can and does save others. As a Jewish person, I was once lost but am found – I was in exile, but God brought me home. I once despised Jesus but now I love Him, because He first loved me.

But God will save Jewish people when we Christians do what Jesus asked of us – to go and make disciples of all nations, including Jewish people, starting in Jerusalem and Judea.

I see this is harder to do now than it has been in a generation. The church has not been immune to the massive rise of antisemitism that has come since 7 October. Christians have been hardened by the news and social media.

I understand many are upset by what they see in the news in Gaza and Lebanon. But our response as believers should always be hope in the power of the gospel to transform lives and recreate all people into who God wants them to be. We must never allow ourselves to write off a whole people group – withholding from them the only One who can save and change them for good.

There is presently very little love or concern for lost Jewish people. But true Christian love shows its purity when Jesus is shared as a priority. If we believe the Bible, that God’s judgment is coming, then we must act and share Jesus.

Those believers who feel apathy or hatred in their hearts must repent and obey Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. The church must share the gospel in love and warn Jewish people that God’s judgment is coming, as we do with all others.

‘There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.’ Let us not be those who are ashamed of the gospel. Let the power of God fill you and help you to bring His ‘salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.’