Opposing Antisemitism Leads to Conversations
At Lake Worth Beach, the staff of our “Fun in the Son” wore T-shirts bearing the slogans “Oppose Antisemitism” and “Stop the Hate.” They also distributed a brochure explaining the roots of antisemitism, specific antisemitic misinterpretations of the New Testament, and Jesus’ solution to this problem. A Jewish woman took the brochure, began reading it, and then returned it to one of the team members.
About an hour later, the same woman spotted Samuel,* a Messianic Jewish staff member who led one of our outreach teams, wearing the “Oppose Antisemitism” T-shirt. She asked him whether he was Jewish, Christian, or a combination. He explained he is a Messianic Jewish believer in Jesus and continues to live a Jewish life while following Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Remarkably, she then asked him why he believed Jesus was the Messiah.
This question sparked a wonderful conversation about Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and His resurrection from the dead. Samuel listened to her objections and responded with gentleness and respect. Jewish people were so grateful to see Christians and Messianic Jewish believers taking a stand against antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community. These actions were a great testimony to Jewish people of their Messiah.
American Christian Speaks Up for Israel at Local City Council
A woman in a mid-western state recently contacted Chosen People Ministries headquarters and described a situation in her hometown. She is somewhat active in civic affairs and attends city council meetings presided over by the mayor. Part of the agenda includes citizen comments, during which time people are permitted to make statements lasting no longer than three minutes. There is no discussion. People just have their say and sit down.
At one meeting, two young people stood up, and each used their three minutes to urge the city council to pass a resolution condemning the “genocide” Israel was allegedly inflicting on the people of Gaza. This woman, who stands with Israel, was profoundly disturbed and thought, “If they can speak up, then why shouldn’t I?” She wrote to our ministry for help with her statement. Her email was passed along to one of our staff members, a Jewish follower of Jesus who holds a doctorate in modern Jewish history and culture. With some suggestions from our staff, they crafted a statement effectively correcting the false narrative the young people had set forth. Praise God for bold, faithful believers like this woman. We pray others will follow suit and speak up against lies harming Israel and Jewish people.