Life is hard. I have faced my share of difficult times, and I am sure you have, too. As rough as life seems at times, though, I step back and look at certain other people, and think, “My life is easy compared to them. They have gone through a lot worse.”
One such group is the Jews. Think about it. They have a history filled with the best of times and the worst of times, and their worst of times is lower than what you and I have ever been through. They have suffered at the hands of all sorts of people groups, even misguided Christians. They have lost jobs, homes, property, friends and even their very lives, at times.
One of the worst of those worst times was the Holocaust. Approximately six million Jews were killed simply for being Jewish. This number represents about two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population. Some became victims of medical experimentation, and others were starved, abused, lived in horrific conditions and forced into hard labor. Many died in gas chambers.
What does this have to do with us today, especially those of us who are followers of Christ? Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27. It is a natural time to reflect on God’s heart for the Jews and learn from the sins of others against them. God loves the Jews and has a plan for them. Jesus was a Jew, along with the disciples and the Apostle Paul. We would not have a New Testament if it were not for Jewish men who came to faith in their Messiah, then wrote about their encounters with Him. The Gospel would not have gone out to the Gentiles were it not for Jewish followers of Christ. Scripture points to a day when there will be a great moving of God among the Jews, and they will come to faith in Jesus.
Anti-Semitic attitudes and actions are on the rise in many parts of the world. We can do our part to love and come alongside these people whom God loves. We can also stand against antisemitism in all its forms. Most importantly, we can pray for them, crying out to God to move in their lives and to ultimately open their eyes to their Messiah.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6)
God in heaven, you have called the Jews as Your own chosen people. They have suffered much at the hands of others. Help me to do my part to stand against persecution toward them. Teach me how to love and come alongside them. Most importantly, guide me how to pray for them. May their eyes be open to all You have for them in Jesus Christ. It is in His name I pray, amen.
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