What are some specific things that we can do to stand with—that is, bless (Gen. 12:3)—the people, nation, and land of Israel?
As we documented in the previous installment, we certainly have good reason to desire to do so. As Jesus told the Canaanite woman, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). And as He reminded the Samaritan woman, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
The Apostle Paul spoke about the relationship between the Gentiles and “the poor who are among the saints in Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:26). He comments on those Gentiles in verse 27, stating: “They are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
So, how can we serve our Jewish friends and neighbors?
Of course, the answers will be as many and as varied as the number of people seeking them—and the number of their Jewish friends. In these days of unprecedented antisemitism, the most basic thing that we can and must do is simply to reassure a Jewish person that we are concerned for them—that we love them and pray for them. I have personally done this on several occasions recently and have seen the visible results that flow from such small acts of Christian kindness.
There are many more sophisticated things that we might attempt to do to reach out in very meaningful ways. Great occasions to begin with would be holidays such as Hanukkah and Passover. These are vitally significant in the Jewish heritage, and should likewise be important for us as Christians in terms of understanding the historical context of our faith.
For example, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry sends Hanukkah boxes to Jewish people throughout North America each holiday season. We also aim to educate believers about the Biblical backgrounds and implications of Passover and the other feasts that are such a vital part of the Mosiac Law (see Lev. 23).
Unquestionably, it would always be appropriate to engage in a study of Jewish history and culture and to try to understand more about their concerns and the forces that pose a threat to them. This would certainly display genuine empathy for their plight.
In terms of more tangible support for the Jewish people, FOI sends a great deal of humanitarian aid and relief wherever it is most needed through our representatives located around the world. Currently, that especially entails giving lots of help to people within Israel, where bomb shelters and medicycles are in high demand during these days of terrorism and warfare. There have also been heroic efforts undertaken over the last two years to assist the Jewish people in Ukraine. Certainly, our ministry is not alone in these kinds of efforts. There are many organizations striving to do the same kinds of things. But FOI definitely offers one channel through which you might endeavor to be a blessing to God’s chosen people.
Again, Paul exhorted us: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). So, do you know a Jewish person? We should all be seeking to get acquainted with them, gain their confidence and show sincere interest in them—just as we would with anyone! But we ought to be looking for specific ways to be a blessing to our Jewish neighbors by showing them that we are concerned and that we genuinely care. They may not concur with us, and we may not agree with them, even on the biggest issues of life. But, if nothing else, we ought to be able to show them that we are indeed their friends and that we condemn antisemitism in all of its forms. If they ever need a friend, they should rest assured that they already have one in us.
In the course of living this philosophy out, you will doubtless encounter and envision more ways to stand with Israel and her people than I might ever imagine or list.
But the greatest thing we could ever do—the ultimate thing we must do and that which we must always keep in the front of our minds—is to share the gospel of their own Messiah with the Jewish people. We must do this in a meaningful way because we love them and because they are the ones who have first brought this gospel to us.
As Paul finally reminds us: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29).
If you’re going to stand with Israel, now is the time.
Where do you stand?
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Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version.