Recent YouTube videos have shown increased violence against Christians in Israel. In one example, a nun was pushed to the ground from behind by an unknown assailant. The video mentioned that the danger has reached the point where about half of Christians in Israel are considering leaving for their safety.

Comments on the video were negative toward Israel: “Americans, you are funding this!” “We give them billions each year and they hate us. No more money or bombs for Israel!!!” “Evangelicals support all this” “pastors and whole churches defend and donate to israel and israeli programs.”

Now, not all Israelis are like this. Many are kind and loving toward their Christian and Palestinian neighbors. But this doesn’t make the news. Our media likes to report only on what reinforces stereotypes. And this is not to make light of the evil that does happen. Jewish violence against Christians happens and is getting worse. Additionally, the Israeli government doesn’t seem to be doing much about it. This furthers the hatred and reinforces the stereotype.

We can’t stop the Jews from hating Gentiles, Gentiles hating Jews, or any group of people hating any other group of people. The Bible said this would happen.

“…and because lawlessness shall prevail, the love of the most shall grow cold.”

– Matthew 24:12

But what about us Christians? How are those of us who are followers of Jesus to respond? Let’s consider how the early church responded to Jewish persecution in their day. After all, what’s happening in Israel today is a small picture of what happened to Christians in New Testament times.

In the beginning of the church, the primary source of persecution came from non-believing Jews. This included imprisonment, beatings, and even murder. Before he was saved, Paul/Saul consented to the murder of Christians (Acts 7:58, 8:1, 22:20). At the time of his encounter with Christ, he was being sent to Damascus under the authority of the Jewish leadership to bind Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment. As far as I’m aware, today’s Christians have not yet reached this level of persecution in Israel.

But the early followers of Jesus did not respond in kind. They did not condemn their Jewish persecutors. Instead, they loved them. After he was saved, Paul desired his unbelieving countrymen to be saved. He continued to reach out to them, even when he was persecuted himself. Paul followed the example of His Lord, for Jesus forgave His murderers while dying on the cross. He taught His disciples (that’s us) to do so as well. Stephen forgave his Jewish murderers as they were stoning him to death.

While the Bible says non-believing Jews are enemies in relation to the gospel, it also says they are beloved because of God’s election of their forefathers. God still loves the Jews, and He promised He will save them one day, in spite of themselves (Romans 9:25-27, 11:25-28).

We must not respond in a worldly way to non-believers, Jews or otherwise. We must respond like the believers of the early church. We must have the mind of Christ: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Let us bless and do good to those who curse us (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14,20, 1 Peter 3:9).

And persecution increases in our country, view it as an opportunity to let the light of Christ shine in the world’s darkness.

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. … I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

– 1 Corinthians 4:9-16