Prevailing winds of antisemitism blow more brutally aggressive each week around the world. Opposing and unfavorable headlines soar. The vicious storm gusts, forceful enough to create strong opinions against Israel, appear both from the secular and religious worlds. Israel bashing seems to be one of the longest running themes of journalistic and media headlines in history. Our hearts are troubled at the continual assaults and antagonistic misinformation about Israel which we read on the internet news—much of which is twisted and outright lies.
As a believer in Yeshua (Jesus) it is so pathetic to hear Christians bashing the Jewish nation. Even more distressing are age-old allegations that they alone “killed Christ” and “the Jews rejected Jesus” which are frankly inaccurate. There were multitudes who received Him before the crucifixion. For instance, we will see clearly that on the day Yeshua (Jesus) came into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was fulfilling the Torah’s prophetic words about the Coming King. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) The biblical truth is that He was cheerfully welcomed by most of the common Hebrew people who did everything they could to greet Him. However, the indictment “the Jews rejected Christ!” was thrown like a rock at the Jewish people and the condemnation of Israel was set in stone. My defense of Israel is because the actions of the crowds on the day of triumphal entry were anything but rejection. I guess it needs presenting. I hope the fog that has clouded our understanding will clear and an understanding of that day will open our spiritual eyes. Let’s take a look into the texts and listen to the eye-witness conversations from the crowd at that event.
I became so intrigued by the conversations from the crowd and the subsequent discussions that took place went on record in the New Testament. I saw Bible passages fit together and it was if I was listening in on the people talking to one another.
The conversations were not in any way indicating displeasure of Yeshua (Jesus) until a certain point. In fact, all four gospels reveal that Jerusalem was welcoming Him as the children shouted “Hosanna” applauding His arrival. Listen to the dialogue.
A beautiful plan which only a Merciful God could have conceived pushed some kind of a heavenly pause button. It was the appointed day foretold by the prophets of Israel. They were gathered on the streets of Jerusalem as far as Temple Mount.
Now we join the crowds.
Scripture says “Many of the authorities believed on Him” (John 12:42) The Jewish crowds loved Him and were asking their leaders “Could any Mashiach come who would work more miraculous signs than this One already has done…”. (John 7:31) How could the common people not love Him? He had healed their sick, raised their dead and brought healing to many people. He gave them a taste of the Kingdom to come. The religious rulers were observing closely on the sidelines–they saw how the crowds loved Him. Earlier they had said “If we leave Him alone to keep this up, all people will come to believe in Him!” (John 11:48) Hours later they were in shock at what was taking place and said “Look and see how the people of the world have gone after Him.” (John 12:19) What world? The Jewish world! It appears that at the moment the Messianic Welcome (Baruch Ha Ba B’Shem Adonai) was beginning to be cried out…like a photographer clicks a freeze frame—the pause took place. In the middle of this prophetic fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:5 something puzzling occurred. Israel “halted.” (Micah 4:7) Jesus then said “from now on “…I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:39) If you listen very closely you can hear the welcome and then silence. If God did not push a pause button in Heaven—then I don’t know what transpired because they came so close to crowning Him their King but…it was not the time.
The shalom of God reigned that day. The donkey and colt were perfectly at peace with their rider reminiscent of the day when the “…the wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid…” (Isaiah 11:16) Kings and prophets often rode horses to announce their arrival into a city. Jesus chose the donkey because He knew he was not coming as King that day; however, the Jewish people laid their clothing on the donkey for Him to sit upon. (Matthew 21:7-9) It is interesting that it was a custom at that time to place a person’s clothing on the animal as the rider sat upon it– indicating submission to the one being honored. They were making a statement. They also made a royal path strewn with palm branches. He saw crowded multitudes waving the palm branches (symbolic of victory and triumph). When we travel up the Jordan Valley there are hundreds (if not thousands) of lush palm trees growing for many kilometers. It is as if they are “waiting” to be used (again) on a day in the future when Israel’s King come to Jerusalem.
Derek Prince frequently said “We owe the Jewish people a great debt.” I think I know why. The Jewish people stopped temporarily. God caused a mysterious condition of a spiritual pause. “For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.” (Isaiah 29:10) A seer is an interpreter of truth. My heart was crushed when I learned that the historical church treated the Jewish people unmercifully for 2000 years and marred the name of Yeshua (Jesus) by cursing the Jews and declaring the notorious words “You (Jews) rejected Yeshua (Jesus)…God is finished with you!” The Jews bore this accusation for centuries. It actually shows the shallowness of the faith of those who slandered the Jewish people. If Yeshua (Jesus) had been crowned king on that day then salvation would have been only for Israel. Yeshua (Jesus) said He had “other sheep” He needed to bring into the Kingdom. He also was born to die in order to save Israel and the nations. (John 3:16) It was that day of His Triumphal Entry that…Yeshua (Jesus) walked away. The rest is history. Christians should never have cursed the Jewish people nor allowed men to write accusations against them in the history books. Why? Because the New Testament tells us “Of a certainty, in this city they were gathered together against Your holy Servant Yeshua, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Heathens and the peoples of Yisrael, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to happen” (Acts 4:27-28, NKJ) The truth is that the Jewish people as a nation, did not reject Yeshua (Jesus). It was an angry crowd of mostly religious leaders. The court where they cried “Crucify!” was not large according to recent reports from archeologists. (Matthew 27:16-26, Mark 15:7-15, Luke 23:18-25, John 18:40) reported that Jesus was the “lamb slain” from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8) Israel gave the command but never touched His Body. The Roman soldiers mutilated Him beyond recognition. Israel had to be the ones to offer the sacrifice—the lot fell to them for the Temple services. (Romans 3:2) The price Yeshua (Jesus) paid met the Torah’s requirements that the innocent die for the guilty. Multitudes of Jewish people have been murdered through the centuries hearing the last words of their life on earth “You killed Christ!” In truth: what needed to happen did!”
The plan of God included the gentiles, not just the Jewish people, and Yeshua (Jesus) made a way for all to enter. Gentiles were to follow the Judaism of Yeshua (Jesus) – God’s Commandments and His teachings made – not the traditions of man. (both Judaism and Christianity developed their own). Because of Yeshua (Jesus), nations of non – Jews have become a part of the Israel of God that will be established in the Coming Kingdom earth. The Apostle Paul reminds us that there was a time when every gentile was prohibited from entering the Temple. They had to be Jewish to enter the Temple. Paul proclaimed that gentiles were “excluded from the Commonwealth of Israel. (Ephesians 2:12) Every one of us were strangers to the covenants made in the Torah (to the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.) The Jewish people turned away– until the “other sheep” finish coming into the sheep pen. There is One God and there must be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16). One day when Messiah returns, just as the early believers were, everyone will be “of one heart and one soul…”. (Acts 4:32) Today Israel and the Church are totally separated. God and God Alone—will make us all “one” as the true church begins to turn toward “home”—Jerusalem.
Shrouded with secrecy, the halt challenges us to grab hold of the church’s inaccurate mind set and shake it off. Without His death, there would have been no victorious resurrection! It may be a hard pill to swallow but I think there is a hidden message between the passages and we just don’t understand all of it. This ministry does not believe in dual covenant theology but neither do we believe in playing God and condemning His Chosen people (which would be a curse on Israel). Scripture just does not reveal every detail – we leave what we do not yet understand to the Lord.
Yes, the Jewish leaders “stumbled and were disobedient” but they also were “appointed to do so”. The Jews “offered Him up”. (Psalm 118:22) “They stumbled because they did not obey the Teaching, as they were destined to do.” (1 Peter 2:8)We read that severity fell on Israel as prophesied in (Isaiah 8:14 and Romans 11:22) and mercy on the gentiles. Therefore, we have a high responsibility to show mercy to the Jewish people as we were shown mercy. The difficult part of Romans 11:22 is that if we do not show mercy to the Jewish people we could be “cut off” from the kingdom. (Romans 11:22) This is Bible!
Yeshua (Jesus) on the cross said “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!”. (Luke 23:34). Why can’t the church do the same? When Peter reprimanded the people of Israel, he said to them they had helped to kill Messiah. (Acts 3:15) Once that soaked in, the Jewish leaders were stunned and said “what have we done?” (Acts 2:22, 38) They were “cut to the heart” (Acts: 2:37) Thousands repented. Scripture records about 5,000 people asked for forgiveness immediately. (Acts 2:36-44) That is no small number—just look at how quickly they wanted to be right with God! (John 12:39) We must realize that the deep sleep upon Israel in regard to Messiah is “from the Lord” according to the Torah (Isaiah 29:10; I Samuel 26:12)
Scripture reminds us, “It pleased Him to bruise Him…” (Isaiah 53:10) Non-Jews were never to boast against the branches (Romans 11:18) “…blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved: even as it stands written…”. (Romans 11:26) If the Jews paused for a purpose, then will a Just God not show Justice and Mercy? I certainly do not have all of the answers…but I will not curse the Jewish people. “Nestled like a dove shielding her little ones in their nesting place, semi-camouflaged and somewhat of a paradox is the “halt” of history. (Micah 4:7) We bear witness to His Word.
A genuine apologetic is one that is true to the texts and the history, akin to the speeches of a defense attorney with integrity.” (Professor/Rabbi Daniel Boyarin, University of California, Berkeley)
Sharon Sanders