Hear me out. The problem with moments in history like this is that American Christians often choose politics over Kingdom purposes. Sometimes those align, sometimes they do not.
It’s ok to love Israelis, support a democratic Israel, and love Palestinian people. You don’t have to pick one to love and by default hate the other. That is the way of the world. Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorism. Every Palestinian is not a terrorist. In fact, most aren’t. Though all are capable of horrid acts under extreme pressure, just like you and me.
God will keep his covenant with Israel through Jesus, the Jewish Messiah; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; the crucified and resurrected Nazarene from the house of David…as the Hebrew prophets foretold. He is the Jewish Messiah but for every people group in the world including an American like me.
Sit with an old Palestinian man, drink coffee, and listen to his story. The house that his grandfather built in Galilee, a legacy inheritance intended for he and his family, is no longer his. He has real hurt and maybe real hate in his heart. He might have real hope. But maybe not.
Sit with an old Jewish man and hear the pain of his persecution, loss, and grief. Listen to the story of his granddaughter raped and murdered in the desert by Hamas. He has real hurt in his heart and perhaps real hate and maybe even real hope. But maybe not.
Go to Bethlehem. Listen to the perspective of Christian brothers and sisters who live on the other side of the wall. They wonder why, as Christians, we don’t understand them or support them but instead “blindly” (their words) support modern Israel. They have real hurt, real confusion and chaos, and real hope in Jesus.
See the atrocity of terrorism and the impact of war and grieve with Israel. Grieve with Gaza. Pray for true shalom/salaam. As far as it depends on you oh follower of Jesus, make peace if it is at all possible. Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. And, love your neighbor as yourself.
Hear these words. #Israel #Palestine #Gaza #gospel #jesus #shalom #salaam
Brian Haynes 
Well said, Brian. In war, there is always fault and innocence on both sides. We all need to show the love of Christ and shine His light for the world to see the difference between us and the evil ones. Pray for peace for both Gaza and Israel; peace in the US, especially with the ongoing demonstrations throughout the country, and to eradicate the longstanding hate between people. Pray for strong Christian leadership to have listening ears of Jesus and make the hard decisions required to negotiate a longstanding peace so that all people can sleep at night and feel safe again. Pray for the safety and protection of our Christian brothers and sisters across the world, in Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, and Iran. May they stand strong in their faith in God and know they are never alone. Pray for strong Christian leaders in the US and Israel to make God-centered decisions, keeping the support of Israel, and helping the Palestinian people to rebuild their homes. Love one another as Jesus loves us all. Even loving the unlovable.
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amen!
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