I am currently reading through the songs in the book of Lamentations and the poet is bewailing the suffering of the Jewish people. Although this refers in context to one specific event it could have been sung many times over the years. Anti-semitism is in the news at the moment as it may have infiltrated one of the political parties.

It is a particularly strong topic because it has led to appalling atrocities over the years. The Nazi holocaust was just one in a series of cruelties inflicted on God’s chosen race. 

Yet it is important to appreciate why they were chosen. The fundamental problem with humanity is sin. No human could deal with this because all of us are affected. One was needed who would be free of sin and then defeat it. That one would come from the Jewish race (Genesis 12). 

One of the Jewish prophets, Isaiah, foretold that He would suffer for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53). This was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment for sin onto Himself. He cried out the words from Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? The punishment for sin is separation from God and Jesus took this for us.

He then defeated death by being raised three days later.

The church owes a great debt to the Jewish people because our salvation has sprung from within their community. That is why Rodbourne Baptist Church is a member of Baptist Friends of Israel.