There is much talk about Israel and the Jews in modern Christian circles. Many, many Christians feel that the ethnic Jews still hold a special place in God’s salvific plan. Even more Christians believe the physical land of Israel is still significant in Biblical prophecy and history. Are these things so? We ought to understand the mission of the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews and the context of how the Jewish Messiah transformed Israel through His death, resurrection and ascension. It is critical for all of us to understand the ramifications of the cross; in the first century the course of history changed, forever.