MISSIONS TO JEWS
‘To the Jew first.’
I. Why are missions to the Jews so often neglected?—Is it suggested that the gospel is not for them? Do people, consciously or unconsciously, limit the offer of salvation thus?
II. The acknowledged difficulty of Jewish work may be advanced in extenuation of this neglect. But difficulties did not arrest the Apostles’ mission. They also had to meet with Jewish opposition and indifference. But though they turned to the Gentiles, it was in addition to, and not in substitution for, work amongst the Jews. There have in every age been difficulties in preaching to Gentiles also; but they are not deemed insuperable.
III. The difficulties of Jewish work are often exaggerated.—With them here and there the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation.
Illustration
‘Miss M. P. Baily, missionary at Teheran, Persia, thus describes a young Jewish girl convert’s confession of faith: “Without any fear, after her baptism, she bravely stood up in a large meeting I was taking on a Saturday, to proclaim her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I was explaining the Creed, sentence by sentence, and had duly taken the first sentences with reference to God the Father. When the following Saturday came, I said to them: ‘Last week you were all quite willing to proclaim your belief in God the Father, that He is Almighty, and the Creator of heaven and earth; how many of you are willing to confess to-day, “I believe in Christ”?’ I waited silently in prayer. The room was very, very quiet, and, presently, the very first one to rise was my dear S. With flushed cheeks, but calm, clear voice, her face partly shrouded by her veil, she rose and distinctly said, ‘ I believe in Jesus Christ.’ Again I said, ‘Thank God; are there any others?’ and four young lads repeated the same words, and in my heart I praised God. The silence in the meeting was very marked, and I felt the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst.” ’
(SECOND OUTLINE)
THE CLAIM OF THE JEW
‘To the Jew first.’
I. Fulfilling ancient prophecy.
II. Recognising the continuance of their special relation to God.
III. Exemplifying in the most marked way the pardon which in Christ is offered.
IV. But ‘to the Jew first’ does not imply ‘to the Jew no longer.’—They are not to be set aside as unworthy, or unapproachable, or beyond the work of the Holy Spirit. Their converts adorn the Christian ministry and lay life.
Illustration
‘The Rev. R. W. Harden (The Church and the Jew, p. 3) says: “It is asserted, and I believe with truth, that as each Lord’s Day comes round the gospel is proclaimed in more than six hundred pulpits by Jewish lips. Over 350 of the recognised ministers of Christ in Great Britain are stated to be Hebrew Christians. Can such a return be shown in the records of missions to the heathen?” ’