Robert Murray M’Cheyne had just returned from Israel in late 1839. He was a young man with health problems, and a warmer climate had been recommended for his recovery. He chose to go to Israel to enquire about the state of the Jewish people, using his health scare for the glory of God. In one of his first messages to his congregation, he spoke from Romans 1:16 as his text and gave the message the title of Our Duty to Israel. Here’s the text from the King James Version from which M’Cheyne was preaching.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (AKJV)
He had been profoundly affected by the need for the gospel to be preached “to the Jew first.” In his message he was speaking to his Church of Scotland Congregation seeking to motivate them to take up the challenge of taking the gospel to Israel. The first paragraph is below:
“Most people are ashamed of the gospel of Christ. The wise are ashamed of it, because it Calls men to believe and not to argue. The prominent are ashamed of it, because it brings all into one body. The rich are ashamed of it, because it is to be had without money and without price. The lighthearted are ashamed of it because they fear it will destroy all their merriment. So then, the “Good News’ of the glorious Son of God, having come into the world (an assurance for lost sinners), is despised and uncared for – men are ashamed of it!”
I have read the entire sermon. It is one of the most powerful meditations on the “why” Paul said, “to the Jew first” and the implications of what it means for Jews and Christians, if we are not faithful to take the gospel to the Jews. I have to tell you, M’Cheyne convicted me about being more faithful to be bold with every Jewish friend I have. I wish I had a recording of this message, so I could get it out to a wider audience. Maybe I will record it myself with an introduction acknowledgment that it is not mine. Food for thought.
ChosenRebel's Blog 