The church has a long history of antisemitism. One church in England is holding a repentance service to apologize to God’s people.

From Israel Today. Much of the blame for the current Middle East conflict should be laid squarely at the door — not of Israel, but the Church.

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It is wholly appropriate, therefore, that the Church of England is holding a service of repentance for historic antisemitism at Oxford Cathedral on May 8….

The cause of church-based antisemitism was not just our sinful, hateful hearts, but bad theology going all the way back to the second century, now acknowledged in part by the established church.

It was shortly after the Apostles died that the so-called Church Fathers began the process of disassociating Christianity from its Judaic foundations by marking the Sabbath on a different day and separating Passover from Easter. All of which boosted the idea of the Jews, as ‘Christ-killers,’ being our enemy.

Yes, the Jewish leaders did conspire to crucify Christ, but the other side of the same coin is that it was meant to happen, as Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb sacrificed for the sins of both Jew and Gentile (see Isaiah 53:10). In that sense, we are all responsible for nailing Christ to the cross….

But God has not forgotten his ancient people, who have repeatedly felt the sting of his severe discipline. As a loving Father, he will never forsake them. In fact, he loves them with “an everlasting love” (Jer 31.3) and there is coming a day when “all Israel” will have their eyes opened to their Messiah (Rom 11.26).

Indeed, there is coming a time (and in some respects it has already come) when Jerusalem will no longer be trampled upon by Gentiles in fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy (Luke 21:24). There are parts of the city — particularly the Temple Mount — still under Gentile control. But this will soon end, which is why there is such a furious battle over this piece of real estate….

But as in all things in a world created by a loving God, there is a strong correlation between the physical and the spiritual. Denying God’s favour for the Jewish people will undoubtedly lead to denial of their right to the land, which is the default position of so many churches today. They refuse to see the marvellous miracle of Jewish restoration as part of God’s plan in spite of the plethora of Scriptures referring to it….

If you are a Bible believer, Jewish entitlement to the Land of Israel is surely a given. And when they are back in the land, according to Ezekiel, they will also turn back to the Lord as they are given a ‘new heart’ (chapter 36:24-26)….

It’s time we returned the favour the Jewish people lavished on us with their precious Scriptures, their patriarchs, their prophets and their Saviour. For everything we do, or fail to do, hinges on our response to a Jew, whose name is Jesus.

How are you praying for the Jewish people? Share your thoughts and prayers in the comments below.

(Excerpt from Israel Today. Photo Credit: Anton Mislawsky on Unsplash)