Perhaps the saddest words in the Bible is when Jesus said:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wing, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you,  from now on you will not see Me until you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 23:37-39 New American Standard Bible).

Here we find Israel's long awaited Messiah, the One foretold by their prophets, rendering a terrible judgment against His own people.

Why did Jesus do that? Because, He was who He said He was. He was Israel's Messiah -- the only begotten Son of God. And although His own people denied Him, He couldn't deny Himself. 

So, where did Israel's Messiah go after His people refused Him? He went to the Gentile nations -- to whatever nation would care to accept Him. This is what Jesus meant when He said:

Did you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone ... Therefore I say to you (Israel), the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust (Matthew 21:41-44).

This was a lot of scripture to quote. However, there is something being said here that our professing Christian leaders must understand. Just because Jesus the Messiah is no longer visible to Israel, that doesn't mean He isn't to us -- if we know where to look. 

And here may be one such place: Have you noticed how the numbers keep falling for two professing Christian leaders -- president George Bush and prime minister Tony Blair. The way it looks, it's possible both men could loose their bids for re-election (Read about it here).

What does this have to do with Israel's Messiah? A very short time ago, both political leaders were extremely popular. So popular, in fact, few major names in their opposing parties were willing to run against them in the coming elections. Suddenly, everything has changed. Why?

I'm afraid it could be because of their part in forcing Israel to give up their land in exchange for peace with the Arabs -- the so-called Road Map peace plan.

Just like the leaders of Israel once were, today Bush and Blair are the builders. And, although they say they are Christians -- and I don't doubt them -- I fear they are still making a big mistake by trying to force the Road Map on Israel. And, in so doing, they are in danger of stumbling over the same stumbling stone the leaders of Israel did.

You see, Jesus may have gone to the Gentiles, but He's still Israel's Messiah. Although Israel may have stumbled, Israel didn't stumble as to fall (Romans 11:11). Someday, when Israel has their change of heart, Jesus will return and Israel will be restored.

Here's my point: Just because our leaders can't see Him, that doesn't mean He's not there. That's why the Psalmist warned:

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth ... Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way (Psalm 2:10-12).