For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. [1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 NASB]
The church in Thessalonica endured persecution at the hands of their own countrymen, just as the Jewish believers in Judea suffered at the hands of their own countrymen.
If read out of context, this passage would suggest that all the Jews are cursed. But he is only speaking of those Jews who oppose the gospel. Jesus said;
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ “So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. “Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. [Matthew 23:29-32 NASB]
It wasn't that Jesus held them guilty for their ancestors' crimes. It was the hypocrisy of their denial, when Jesus knew that they would soon crucify Him and persecute His followers. He went on to say;
“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. [Matthew 23:34-35 NASB]
Although they brought condemnation on themselves by their actions, Jesus continued to love them, and mourned for them. He said;
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. [Matthew 23:37 NASB]
Paul also had a heart for Israel, in spite of the persecution he suffered at their hands. He said;
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, [Romans 9:1-4 NASB]
He says concerning them, "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. [Romans 11:2 NASB] God still loves Israel and the Jews, even when they are condemned for their sins. Paul says;
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; [Romans 11:28 NASB]
Some people, in their ignorance have used selected passages from the Bible to justify their antisemitism. They are not following the heart of God, and in their zeal to condemn Jews, they themselves will be condemned.
Pray for Israel. Pray for their salvation. As Paul says in Romans 11:26 "All Israel will be saved."
Father, I thank You that You have never taken back Your gifts or calling. Thank You that Israel is still Your beloved. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for all Israel. I pray that you will bring salvation to Your people.
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