You Say You Stand With Israel... Do You Really?

I don't know how I would have felt as a Jew in the audience on the temple court when Jesus was giving those scathing indictments to the Pharisees that we've been covering. But it got me to thinking about our Christian - Jewish relationships today. Israel and the United States have been solid political allies for sure. But that's politics! Typically, even our own church leaders don't go much beyond the political support and as long as you can proudly say "I stand with Israel", you are on solid ground - at least by church standards. 

But, not so fast! This deserves a real discussion. On a personal level, I think many Christians think Jews are set apart and unapproachable from an evangelical, gospel professing perspective. About a week ago, I was in a business meeting with a devout catholic and a devout Jew. (sounds like the opening of a joke). I didn't shy away from where I stood spiritually but I certainly didn't go beyond the recognition that we were three people in a room all connected to the same God. The conversation migrated to business. It was just uncomfortable.

I didn't pursue it. I want to though. I just don't honestly know how. After all their God is our God. It almost feels off-putting, if not offensive, to profess the Gospel to a Jewish person. Personally, it just doesn't feel right. They are God's people.

It just feels hands off. It's like a Jew is off-limits as far as the Gospels are concerned. In the West, especially in the US, I think we excuse our avoidance of the gospels and avoid evangelizing with the Jews and prop up our evangelical recognition of the Jew with political support. We absolve our need to witness for Christ and approach the Jew with the slogan that is really for the Jewish nation: "I stand with Israel" - as if that is enough.

But is it enough? Really?

Notes for You Say You Stand With Israel

Episode Link:

https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/you-say-you-stand-with-israel-do-you-really/