Recently, there have been disturbing words in the press about the Catholic and Anglican leadership taking a stand against Israel and the Jewish people. Sadly, evidence shows this to be a reocurring theme throughout Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican history. Much of this “animosity” is based on incorrect understanding of the New Testament. The first, and possibly the leading motivation for antisemitism, is the completely false assumption that the Jews killed Jesus alone and are forever cursed and guilty of an unforgivable sin.
Let’s set the record straight once and for all about who killed Jesus according to the Bible!!!!
First, Jesus, himself, tells his 12 disciples, “..the Son of man will betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.” (Matthew , chapter 20, verses 18 & 19)
Again, in the Book of Acts, Peter and John led the believers in prayer saying, “For truly against your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.” (Acts chapter 4, verses 27 & 28)
There are several glaring truths in this that totally eradicate all fables relating to who killed Jesus. It clearly states in both these passages that the Jews, the people of Israel, were not the only people involved in Jesus’ death. Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles were equally responsible.
However, according to Peter and John’s fellowship prayer, Jesus’ death had been determined beforehand by the One they were praying to.....Whooooaa! What about all the pogroms, all the crusades, all the historical events based on the Jews being “Christ (Messiah) Killers”? If the Bible says both Jews and Gentiles were responsible for Jesus’ death, and if G-d was behind it all, then why would there be any strife over this?
BUT, why would G-d do this? Why would He “determine beforehand” Jesus’ crucifixtion and death? G-d is good, and where in the scriptures would it even suggest He would do this?
The prophet Isaiah may shed some light on this. In the middle of chapter 53, verses 8-11, G-d says: “For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of my people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked - but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many. For He shall bear their iniquities.”
Now, I understand that some of you reading this do not agree that this describes Jesus; however, those who follow Jesus – that includes Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Anglicans – do believe this. So it makes very little sense that they would solely blame the Jews for Jesus’ death or believe that their crime was so great that they are forever doomed. In fact, the fact that the Jews were part of it - their “transgression”- is what brought salvation to the Gentiles! The Bible says it! The book to the Romans, chapter 11, verses 11 & 12!!! Jesus’ death brought their salvation! It brought them into a relationship with the G-d of Israel! These scriptures also make the point that everyone was responsible for Jesus’ death because all people have sin in their heart that must be forgiven. It’s not just one group! So, we can rightfully conclude that these followers of Jesus should be bending over backwards to bless the Jewish people!
Let’s set the record straight once and for all about who killed Jesus according to the Bible!!!!
First, Jesus, himself, tells his 12 disciples, “..the Son of man will betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.” (Matthew , chapter 20, verses 18 & 19)
Again, in the Book of Acts, Peter and John led the believers in prayer saying, “For truly against your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.” (Acts chapter 4, verses 27 & 28)
There are several glaring truths in this that totally eradicate all fables relating to who killed Jesus. It clearly states in both these passages that the Jews, the people of Israel, were not the only people involved in Jesus’ death. Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles were equally responsible.
However, according to Peter and John’s fellowship prayer, Jesus’ death had been determined beforehand by the One they were praying to.....Whooooaa! What about all the pogroms, all the crusades, all the historical events based on the Jews being “Christ (Messiah) Killers”? If the Bible says both Jews and Gentiles were responsible for Jesus’ death, and if G-d was behind it all, then why would there be any strife over this?
BUT, why would G-d do this? Why would He “determine beforehand” Jesus’ crucifixtion and death? G-d is good, and where in the scriptures would it even suggest He would do this?
The prophet Isaiah may shed some light on this. In the middle of chapter 53, verses 8-11, G-d says: “For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of my people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked - but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many. For He shall bear their iniquities.”
Now, I understand that some of you reading this do not agree that this describes Jesus; however, those who follow Jesus – that includes Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Anglicans – do believe this. So it makes very little sense that they would solely blame the Jews for Jesus’ death or believe that their crime was so great that they are forever doomed. In fact, the fact that the Jews were part of it - their “transgression”- is what brought salvation to the Gentiles! The Bible says it! The book to the Romans, chapter 11, verses 11 & 12!!! Jesus’ death brought their salvation! It brought them into a relationship with the G-d of Israel! These scriptures also make the point that everyone was responsible for Jesus’ death because all people have sin in their heart that must be forgiven. It’s not just one group! So, we can rightfully conclude that these followers of Jesus should be bending over backwards to bless the Jewish people!
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