Thursday, March 28, 2013

Problem with Obama's Speech in Jerusalem


On March 21, 2013 (Thursday), Barak Hussein Obama spoke in Jerusalem. Primarily he spoke on security, peace, and prosperity.

In one of the updates from one messianic Jew running a program "Revive Israel", he reports,

"Obama US President Obama was received this week in Jerusalem with unprecedented honor, perhaps more than any other human being in history, including Yeshua Himself (John 12:12). Obama's visit was highlighted by personal reconciliation with Netanyahu, the two of them hugging and smiling together repeatedly before the cameras. Obama demonstrated his uncanny charm and charisma, winning the hearts of the Israeli people. He also made unprecedented statements of commitment to Israel's security and of the bond between Israel and America. On the other hand, most Israelis are concerned that his proclaiming such high expectations for an imminent peace agreement does not take into account the depth of commitment by radical Islam to Israel's total destruction." [Emphasis in red is mine.]

The problem with his speech however is that at best it is misleading in regard to the way of security, peace, and prosperity, for security, peace, and prosperity come from each person turning to Christ in a contrite spirit, and remain in the right relationship with God the Father. 

In today's daily bread passage (Luke 22) we see Jesus choosing to die for all, even for Barabbas. Jesus the King of the Jews voluntarily walked into the gas-chamber (so to speak) only to give a relief to a horrible sinner as horrible as Barabbas. In the eyes of the law, Barabbas is a criminal deserving crucifixion. In the eyes of God the Father who sent Jesus the Savior, he is still a 'son', so God so loved his creation that he sacrificed Jesus the Lamb so his children would secure a permanent position in the family. 

In Hebrew Barabbas means "son of father". God is the Father of all. If a father has ten children all of them are valuable, more precious than the whole universe. It does not matter who you are or what you have done. The fact is son is son and the Father loves them all, just as it is written: "God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Security is security of one's whole person: spirit, soul and body. If one is to be secure he needs to be secure for good. And one is secure only when one is rooted in the relationship with God the Father the maker of all. When one is deeply rooted in this relationship can one talk about the next steps: peace and prosperity. 

[Further Bible readings:

1 Co 8:6 - ... there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live...

Romans 6:10 - The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

2 Co. 5:14,15 - We are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died...and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

John 8:34-35 - Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.] 

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