The history of Israel is tragic. The definition of a tragedy is a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. Israel was singled out of all the nations on earth to husband God’s promises and be the biological vehicle through which the Messiah would come. Sadly, from the very beginning, Israel was tragically addicted to idolatry and, like its first king, Saul, she became so protective of her own status and power (John 18:14) that her leaders put to death the Messiah when he finally arrived, rather than surrender the kingdom to him. They missed a chance at greatness. They could have been like John the Baptist, who was willing to step aside for Jesus. (John 3:30)
Thankfully, a remnant of the faithful has always existed and continues to this day. There were Jewish people who did not reject Christ, and that will continue to the end. (Romans 9:29) Nevertheless, the majority of Jews, especially their leaders, have not only rejected Christ as their Messiah, but have also become persecutors of Christians. No other group treats the name of Jesus with more disrespect and hatred. The Talmud claims that Jesus was brought back from the dead by a Jewish necromancer named Onkelos, who said that the Lord admitted that he is boiling in excrement for eternity for his rejection of the wisdom of the rabbis. (Gittin 57a of the Babylonian Talmud) The Talmud adopted the code word of Balaam for Jesus to prevent the “goyim” of grasping the depth of their hatred. Our Lord is equated with one of worst figures in the entire Old Testament. Not even the Muslims say anything so hateful. In addition, according to Jesus, the Jews decided to kill the son so that they can have the “vineyard” for themselves. (Matthew 21:38) It is no wonder that God took the kingdom of God from them and gave it to another people – a holy nation, the church, one new man in Christ which consists of both Jews and Gentiles. (Matthew 21:41, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:15, Galatians 3:28)
During the Bar Kohkba rebellion, which ended in another tragedy for Israel in 135 AD, the leader of that movement, whose real name was Simeon ben Kosiba, was renamed Bar Kohkba by Rabbi Akiva, who pronounced him to be the Jewish Messiah. Kosiba asked God to just please stay out of his way. [Gruber, Daniel. Rabbi Akiba’s Messiah: The Origins of Rabbinic Authority (pp. 49-50). Elijah Publishing. Kindle Edition] Tragically, that has been the attitude of the Jewish leaders ever since. Rather than submit to God’s righteousness (Romans 10:3), which is available only through Christ, they have gone about trying to establish their own kingdom on their own terms. Today, modern Israel continues in that doomed trajectory. While refusing to acknowledge Christ, or even God for that matter, they are attempting to conquer what they believe belongs to them because of a promise made long ago to Abraham and his seed. (Genesis 13:5) Paul made it clear that the seed referred to is Christ, not a modern Israeli nation (Galatians 3:16). Flesh and blood simply cannot inherit God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:50). They not only refuse to acknowledge Christ’s lordship; they are trying to usurp what belongs to Christ alone. It will not turn out well for them. It never does for usurpers.
Israel is tragic in every way. They had such a high calling from God and were so privileged, but it went to their head. They never shed their idol addiction which substitutes something false and demonic for the true God. Today the god of Israel cannot possibly be the one true God of the Bible because once someone rejects Christ, he or she no longer has God at all. (1 John 2:22-23) There are only two teams in spiritual warfare. We are either with Jesus’ or on the opposing side. (Matthew 12:30) Tragically, the ones who had every advantage have become enemies of the truth and enemies of God.
The words of Stephen, the church’s first martyr, still ring true.
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” Acts 7:51 (NKJV)
I will close with Paul’s words that he used to describe his own countrymen.
15 ...who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 (NKJV)
Paul and Stephen were not antisemites. Neither was Jesus, nor am I. I do not hate Jews. I pray that they may repent and acknowledge Christ. But I will not bow the knee to the misplaced zeal of Zionism. There is only one chosen people, and it is not the modern nation of Israel. The elect of God are those in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, chosen before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) There is not a separate plan of salvation for biological Jewish people. Either they will acknowledge Christ, or they will die in there sins. (John 8:24) The same is true for the rest of us. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. God is no respecter of persons. Thankfully, his mercy transcends our imagination. While we have breath, we have hope.
If you are reading this and wish to turn to Christ and acknowledge his lordship, you may wish to pray the following.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying to do life without you. I realize now what a mistake that has been. Thank you for loving me anyway. Please forgive my many sins and come into my life. I give myself to you. Holy Spirit, I need you on the inside to live your life through me so that I can bring glory to God. Help me to tell others about your amazing grace. Amen.
