There’s a scene in the movie “The Longest Day” in which two lines of soldiers, one American, the other German, and separated by a shoulder-high stone wall, pass in opposite directions. Neither line sees the other because the soldiers in both lines are preoccupied with loud explosions in the night sky. (This incident actually happened.)
Likewise, two generations can pass by one another while going in opposite directions. The Bible way is that a new generation succeeds the old, its eyes on the same goal and moving forward in the same direction. But there can be a point where a generation can turn aside instead of pressing ahead.
The turning point of the children of Israel was when the twelve spies reported back from the Promised Land and ten of them reported that it was impossible for the children of Israel to defeat the inhabitants. The turning point for the Jews in the time of Jesus was when he performed undeniable miracles but the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Beelzebub: “Lord of the Flies.”
Matthew, chapter 12, records the awful moment when they knowingly blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Matthew places the miracle healing of a man’s withered right arm just before this, perhaps to illustrate the loss of spiritual power represented by the withered right arm (in the case of most people, the strongest).
The Jewish leaders’ lack of power had resulted from their unbelief. Jesus told the man to stretch forth his withered hand. The setting, with its spiritually powerless leaders, was an ideal one for Jesus to demonstrate his ability and willingness to restore power into the lives of his people.
After the Jews’ blasphemy Jesus spoke of future judgement and began to speak in parables. He quoted a prophecy of Isaiah, and declared that it was fulfilled in their unbelief. (Isaiah 6:8, 10; Matthew 13:13) Unbelief was also behind his rejection at Nazareth, where he had grown up and was still well known. (Matthew 13:53-58)
Jesus then resumed his theme of the “evil and adulterous generation” (Matthew 12:39) and stated that the only sign it would be given would be that of Jonah: his resurrection after three days and nights in the tomb (Matthew 16:4).
It appears significant that soon after this incident Peter received the revelation that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God”, after which Jesus introduced the Church. (Matthew 16:16-18) It was not that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews changed God’s plan, because the Almighty had seen them do it from the foundation of the world.
The next major turning point is shown in the “back to back” parables of The Vineyard and The Wedding Feast. (Matthew 21:33-43 & 22:2-14) The Parable of the Vineyard refers to the Jews’ rejection of the prophets prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, and the judgement it would bring.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast refers to the rejection of the Gospel invitation by the Jews after Christ’s resurrection, and their persecution of the twelve apostles. I repeat: The Parable of the Vineyard refers to the rejection of the prophets and Jesus Christ; and the Parable of the Wedding Feast refers to the rejection of the apostles and the salvation message they preached.
The Vineyard, said Jesus, would be taken from the Jews and given to “a fruitful nation” [a new people group: the Church]. Similarly, those who rejected the Wedding Invitation would be judged “unworthy”, and instead others [Gentiles] would be invited.
Many [Jews] would be called, but few chosen. The chosen, a Jewish remnant, would be “the Israel of God” – the Church, the Body of Christ (Galatians 6:16). But before long, non-Jewish believers would outnumber them in the church. Three categories would thereafter be recognised: the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32).
After rejecting Jesus the Christ the Jewish nation would be all but destroyed in AD 70 after its religious leaders had become “the synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 3:9) and Jerusalem “Sodom and Egypt” – a synonym for abomination and bondage (Revelation 11:8). The carnivorous Roman “eagles” then descended on the city and tore the Jewish body politic to shreds, exactly as prophesied by Jesus (Matthew 24:28).
Christians witness time and again to the lost yet tend to forget that the Lord likewise offers them more understanding of the kingdom of God. Yet like those who reject the good news, they reject the offer. Unwilling to become disciples (disciplined believers) they are content to live waywardly; and despite being cared for by patient pastors end up dying spiritually in the wilderness of their own will.
There was a turning point in the lives of the Twelve (John 6:66-67). Many disciples “went back and walked no more with Jesus” because his words were unpalatable to them. Noting this, Jesus questioned the Twelve as to their intention: did they wish to join them?
Unlike the ten princes of Israel, however, they chose to go on, and in so doing, passed a possible turning point in their lives. They became “disciples indeed” rather than in name only (John 8:31).
The journey from Mt Sinai to the Promised Land would have taken the children of Israel only eleven days but because of their unbelief, it took them just over forty years! (Deuteronomy 1:2-3) Most of them died prematurely while wandering in the wilderness. Similarly, many Christians are turned aside because of their unbelief.
Preferring manifestations to miracles, dependency to dominion, and Sunday morning church attendance to ongoing, everyday faith, they live mediocre lives, sitting in the premises when they could be living in the promises.
Keep your eyes on where you are going, and who is going there with you. The Promised Land is not in the next life but in this one, as you possess the promises that are yours in Jesus Christ. Expel whatever occupies your God-promised lot in life!