Reflections | Christians United for Israel

LOVE AND RESPECT

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

Romans 12:10

We have all heard the saying, “Don’t tell me that you love me—show me.” What do these words mean to the believer? The Bible instructs us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43); to love our friends “at all times” (Proverbs 17:17); to “love our enemies” (Luke 6:27); and to “love one another” like Christ loves us (John 13:34; Romans 13:8). All Christians are to express love and respect for our brother, to strangers, and even to our enemies. Showing the unconditional love of Christ to each other is at the core of our faith.

In Matthew 25, Jesus urges His disciples to love the “least of these,” His brethren in the flesh, the Jewish people. This week, consider: how can you embrace God’s love for you? And how can you unconditionally love Israel and the Jewish people at this critical time in their history?

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FOLLOW THE LORD

“Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully.”

Joshua 4:14

The generation of Israelites whom the Lord carried out of Egypt through signs and wonders repeatedly doubted His goodness during their journey to the Promised Land. After 40 years of wandering, they finally arrived in Paran to scout out the land which God had given them. Ten of the twelve spies returned from their fact-finding mission trembling with fear and doubt. The ten could not comprehend how Israel could defeat the “giants” living in Canaan. They lacked faith in the God who had proven time and time again that He could do the impossible. Their lack of faith prevented them from walking into God’s promise.

However, two men, Caleb and Joshua, disagreed with the majority consensus. Caleb, in particular, a leader of the tribe of Judah, possessed a “different spirit” (Numbers 14:24). Caleb did not deny the challenges of Canaan but was unwavering in his trust for the Lord, His power, and His promises.