Just thought I'd share a reflection I wrote today in the midst of all the chaos going on in our world today:
Galatians 3:28-29
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.
Reflection
As the situation in the Middle East continues to swing on the pendulum of escalation to de-escalation. I personally continue to pray for peace, because first of all I don't live in the Middle East or in the USA. So, for me to have an opinion on the topic of the geopolitical situation there is not a good idea because I'm not there and automatically I'm misinformed by that fact. Secondly, I believe as children of God, our obligation is to be peacemakers. We cannot rejoice about war, no matter who is being killed. Christian persecution is at an all time high and it's bad and should come to an end. Bombing enemy territory that results in the death of women and children is also bad and should come to an end. Therefore war should never be a goal but an absolute last resort.
I'm allowed to have an opinion as a Christian, regarding what I believe to be a correct response to all this, spiritually though. Prime Minister of Israel Benyamin Netenyahu recently made a comment about the Iran war saying "Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Kahn". His haters lapped it up because it gave them more ammo against him. His Christian supporters... Dead silence. This pretty much sums up why I don't support the current "Christian Zionist" narrative that is being pushed, but I'm also not in favour of "replacement theology" which states that Christians have replaced Jews as "the chosen people". Both positions I believe are wrong.
I sometimes ask myself if the disciples were on earth today, how would they have handled the current context? Would they be happy that their God-given mandate called The Great Commission has gone from being 1 church to over 45000 different denominations - not counting the growing number of "non denominatioal" gatherings who preach "bible only and no religion", but in essence are just creating different versions of Christianity, which is, let's be honest, religion which has just been packaged differently? Would they be happy to hear the current leader of the Jews using the name of Jesus as a mere soundbite to justify war? Would they be happy with us as Christians arguing over whether we must stand with Israel or not?
I personally think they would be extremely upset and saddened by the current state of Christian affairs. Is this really what they died for? To dismiss Israel is the equivalent of dismissing Jesus because without Israel historically, there is no Jesus. Let's be clear on that. Jesus was born Jewish, He followed Jewish tradition while He walked the earth in human flesh. Replacement theology is wrong. But, putting Israel on a pedestal, and turning a blind eye to some of the wrongs they commit like for example "accidentally" bombing Christian churches and having their supreme leader compare Jesus unfavourably to a murderous warlord like Genghis Kahn is equally wrong and quite frankly very disturbing.
This is the danger of building our worldview and theology on bible study without context, and looking at the historical evidence of our Christian forefathers example. Common sense gets thrown out the window, and we follow narratives with a bordering on cult-like enthusiasm. As followers of Christ, it's our biblical mandate to pray for Jerusalem.. it's our biblical mandate also to be peacemakers and as far as possible, live in peace with everyone around us. Why? Because in Christ we are ONE As per Paul's letter to the Galatians.
Do you know why Paul wrote "first for the Jew then the Gentile" to the Roman church? Because in Rome Jews were regarded as second class - so, he had to remind everyone that Jesus their Saviour was born Jewish. I'm pretty sure the Christian Gentiles in Rome were still dismissing their Christian Jewish brethren. So, Paul a Roman citizen himself had to stand up for the Jews in Rome. This doesn't mean God shows favouritism. Quite the opposite actually. My friends, Christian Zionism and Replacement theology for me are two sides of the same coin - they are both manmade constructs that insufficiently point back to the truth of Jesus Christ and His Great Commission which was, is and always will be: "to make disciples of all nations-baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matt 28:18-20).
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by Your Grace, Mercy and Love please give us discernment to accept only what is of You and pleasing to You. As we continue to pray for peace, may Your Presence illuminate our minds and hearts, so that we focus on You steadfastly and not get pulled in all directions by the noise of information overload.
In Your Most Holy and Glorious Name Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Shalom.
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Take care of yourselves and eachother.
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