Big Brother

 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, and the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised. Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)

                How do you feel about the Jews? They’re an oppressed people. They have been an oppressed people for most of their history. In Paul’s day, they were oppressed by Rome, but I don’t think this is the cause of Paul’s distress. I suspect Paul’s main reason for the distress being described is his feeling that his people were rejecting Christianity and being left behind. It was his heart’s desire for the Jews to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Wherever he went, he went first to the synagogues and talked to them, then he went to the Gentiles.
          Yesterday, I skimmed an article suggesting that the biggest killer of marriages is unmet expectations. I’ve talked to Jews, and that’s what I’ve heard as the reason to reject Jesus, and even God (though they are devout in their practice of the customs of their people.) Atheists and agnostics tell me the same thing. If only God would meet their expectations, then they would believe in Him. But whatever their reasons, Paul’s heart ached for his people because of their rejection.
          I think it also ached because the Jews were being oppressed by Rome and rejected as a faith by Christians, even in the First Century. After all, the Jews were oppressing the Christians. Paul had sought the death of Christians before meeting Christ. In Christ, all the traditions and laws of the Jews were left behind. But, Israel was the first adopted son. Israel was the elder brother in the story of the Prodigal Son, the one who kept the form of the law without understanding the meaning or intent. God’s love for Israel didn’t disappear just because Israel’s degenerate sibling had been found.
          Through history, lies have been told about Israel. Perhaps the biggest is the lie that the Jews killed Jesus. Some Jews were part of the conspiracy, but the Romans were also involved. God was also involved. The truth of the matter is that each and every one of us made His death necessary. We’re all to blame.
          Lies are still being told about Israel. Some see them as the cause of much of the problem in the world. Others at least seem to think Israel cannot be held accountable for any wrong that they do. Israel is still God’s adopted son. I believe God is allowing Israel to be oppressed because Israel is still rejecting God and His commandments. They may cling to their traditions, but to God, not so much.
          We need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, not so much in terms of their peace with the other nations in the Middle East, but in terms of the peace with God. We also need to keep in mind that as the Church is the bride of Christ, Israel is our big brother.