other resources to guaranteeing security for Jewish
communities in Europe; making Internet companies
liable for antisemitic content on their platforms; and
advising companies not to do business with countries
or organizations that support antisemitism in any
way.5
Kurz added,
Fighting antisemitism deserves much more than simple
statements of good will—we need concrete policies and
reinforced legislation.6
Oh, how I hope the Church will take the lead on
encouraging the above!
How can we possibly reach Jewish people for Jesus
without cultivating a love for all Jewish people,
including Israelis, and to have a tender heart toward
Zion? This is my prayer for you in this New Year, that
God would give you the same heart as the Apostle Paul,
who wrote in Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire
and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.”
Opposing antisemitism may be a crucial first step in
leading Jewish people to open their hearts to Jesus,
the Messiah. I pray my people will see that true
Christians love the Jewish people (Romans 11:11).
Praying for God’s best for you and your family in 2019,
Mitch
P.S. Our outreach to Jewish people
in more than twenty North
American cities and seventeen
countries around the world is
growing! We are so grateful for
your prayers and support. For
your gift of $125 or more, we
would like to send you a
beautiful commemorative
medallion to remind you to
pray for Chosen People
Ministries in our 125th year,
and beyond!
1 https://www.influencewatch.org/movement/boycott-divestment-and-sanctions/.
2 https://allianceforthepeaceofjerusalem.com/lifeway-survey-full/.
3 “Support of Israel Wanes Among Younger Evangelicals,” LifeWay Research
(blog), December 4, 2017, https://lifewayresearch.com/2017/12/04/support-ofisrael
among-younger-evangelicals/.
4 https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Antisemitism/Austrian-Kurz-We-cant-undohistory
but-we-can-do-justice-to-our-history-572444 noted on 12.30.18.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
4 The Chosen People | FEBRUARY 2019
Operation Good Neighbor. Israeli Commander comforts a Syrian baby. Photo, IDF
The Importance of
Compassion and the
Image of Israel
Christians are commanded to reach the world for Jesus according
to passages such as Matthew 28:19–20 and Acts 1:8. Yet, the
motivation for missions—especially to resistant groups, such as
the Jewish people and Muslims—often requires an even greater
dedication and a broken heart to fuel the passion needed to
sustain what can seem like an unsuccessful ministry. Loss of
motivation is perfectly understandable, as we are all human.
Jesus’ example shows He was motivated by compassion.7 As
Matthew records,
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they
were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to
send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36–38)
What is compassion? It is the feeling you have when you see a
baby suffering or a person you love in intolerable pain. It is the
sense we have when we see pictures of poor children or we walk
into a poverty-stricken area and see children in rags and eating
from garbage pits. It is the unutterable moan that bursts forth
from the depth of our soul because of the human condition that
leads to tears and sacrificial action.
In Matthew 23:37–39, we read of the Savior’s compassion and
broken heart for His own people, and for all people when He says,
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. Behold, your house is being
left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will
not see Me until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!”
The Apostle Paul also understood the compassion of the Savior
and felt the same toward his people. He writes in Romans 9:
“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my
conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have
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