Anti-Semitism Rears Its Ugly Head; What Can a Believer Do?

This past Saturday, a family gathered at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh to celebrate a bris, a special service of the circumcision, in the case of a boy, and the naming of a Hebrew child.  This is a festive event with friends close to the family being invited.  That which was intended to be a time of celebration became instead a time of violence, bloodshed, and death.  Robert Gregory Bowers, a 46-year old man with a strong history of anti-Semitism, entered into the synagogue fully armed and opened fire upon those present.  Eleven people were murdered and six others were injured before the assailant was himself wounded in the exchange of gunfire with authorities.  Bowers told authorities that he "just wanted to kill Jews." 


What happened in Pittsburgh is the greatest massacre of Jews ever in the history of our nation.  And they were killed for no other reason than that they were Jews.  Over the years we have witnessed an increase in anti-Semitic acts in Europe, especially in France.  We have been led to believe that such targeted violence against Jews would not occur here.  But now it has.  In his article, published by The Patriot Post, Dennis Prager writes: "Anti-Semitism is exterminationist.  Anti-Semites don't just want to persecute, enslave or expel Jews; they want to kill them.  On Passover, Jews read the Haggadah, the ancient Jewish prayer book of the Passover Seder.  In it are contained these words: 'In every generation, they arise to annihilate us' - not 'persecute' us; not 'enslave' us; annihilate us.  So, when the murderer yelled, 'All Jews must die,' he encapsulated the uniqueness of anti-Semitism." (www.patriotpost.us/opinions/59150-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-anti-semitism-and-trump.)


Almost immediately the mainstream media placed the blame for this murderous event upon the shoulders of President Trump.  They cited President Trump's identifying himself as being a "nationalist."  According to the Webster's New World Compact School and Office Dictionary, "nationalism" is defined this way: "devotion to one's nation, patriotism."  So, in his interview with Laura Ingraham this past week, when asked about his use of the term "nationalist," President Trump responded with a dictionary definition - "I love my country."  Yet, what has happened is that the term "nationalist" has been commandeered by the media and is now identified with being a far-right white supremacist.  Now, that is not the way the dictionary defines the term, but it has become the way that culture has defined the term.  So, according to the mainstream media, when President Trump says he is a "nationalist" he is saying that he is a white-supremacist. 


Friends, I would love to share with President Trump that the definitions of words change.  For example, one has to be careful how one uses the word "gay" these days.  It used to mean "being joyous" but today it means being a homosexual.  It has changed in its meaning.  We now have to find alternatives to express the idea of what the term "gay" used to mean.  Perhaps, instead of saying "I am a nationalist," it would be better to say, "I am very patriotic."  It is indeed sad that we have come to that point in our cultural history that words need to be chosen carefully for what I intend by their meaning often is not what is heard by others.  I wrestle with that reality nearly every week as I prepare my sermon and teaching materials.  I knew what President Trump meant, but perhaps using the word "patriot" might have been less offensive. 


But this I do know, President Trump is not anti-Semitic.  If anything, he is the most strongly pro-Jewish, pro-Israeli president we have had since President Truman.  His moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem gave strong evidence the he is not anti-Semitic.  Here is what is very interesting: the mass murderer of the Jews worshiping at the Tree of Life synagogue was himself strongly anti-Trump.  He had expressed that he felt that President Trump was merely a pawn used by Israel. 


I have traveled extensively in Israel having visited that nation fourteen times.  I have cultivated relationships with several Israeli-Jews who have become friends.  I have watched with interest the politics of Israel change over the years, and I have observed their wars for survival.  Do I approve of every decision Israeli leaders make?  Of course not, no more than I approve of every decision our leaders make.  But I am continually drawn to those words of God to Abraham as found in Genesis 12: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 


As a follower of Jesus Christ, I must expose and oppose all forms of anti-Semitism.  Why?  First, because my Savior lived here upon this earth being raised in a Jewish home, ministered primarily among the Jewish people, and died as a Jewish rabbi.  Second, the Word of God which I proclaim each week was given to us primarily by Jewish authors.  The Bible is a Jewish book which shares with us God's plan for salvation and for abundant living.  Third, the Apostle Paul, writing in the eleventh chapter of his letter to the Romans, shares the truth that we, as Gentile believers, have been grafted into olive tree which is that of Israel. 


Friends, anti-Semitism will finally be destroyed when the King comes to claim His rightful throne in Jerusalem.  The great proponent of anti-Semitism, Satan himself, will be cast into the abyss.  The nations of the world will gather in Jerusalem to worship King Jesus.  What a remarkable day that will be!  But until that day occurs, I am challenged by Scripture to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure.  May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.'  For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.'  For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity." (Psalm 122:6-9).