A Powerful Testimony of Love From Jew to Christian

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

In the previous post, I shared with you that I recently returned from our Annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI)Washington DC Summit with over 7,000 in attendance from around the country and world. I am the Minnesota State Director for CUFI. I then posted the article “Standing With Israel” by Peggy Shaprio, a Jewish friend that is very thankful for what we are accomplishing through Christians United for Israel. Today I want to let you read a short letter from two Jewish people that were invited by Peggy to our Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Conference in Washington DC this past week, and to our Night to Honor Israel in Washington DC. As a Christian, you might not have known the fear and turmoil Jewish people have felt and been persecuted by from Christians. That is now changing!

Dear Pastor Tim,
I brought 18 people with me to witness CUFI with their own eyes. Here is one of the responses I received from a couple who had grown up and spent their early adulthoods in the former Soviet Untion. Their gratitude for CUFI is shared by all of us.
Blessings for what you do.
Peggy

Dear Peggy and everybody,

We came to this country from the Soviet Union in 1974, where anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism were a part of everyday reality. Both before and after the Communist Revolution, anti-Semitism was orchestrated by the state and with active participation of the Russian Orthodox Church.. Personally, we encountered hatred toward us as Jews on a regular basis.

We know only too well the power of the Christian anti-Semitism. We encountered its ugly face on innumerous occasions during our life in the former Soviet Union. Even here in the United States we had sad experiences, when, for example, some of our otherwise good Christian friends, would tell us with determination that as long as we remain Jewish we will definitely go to hell.

Therefore, with such an experience, we could fully appreciate the greatest moment of our lives, when for the first time we had an opportunity to participate in the Summit of the Christians United for Israel in Washington. In our best dreams we could not imagine that we would ever be among so many wonderful people of Christian faith who are so passionately and unapologetically professed their support for the Jewish people and to the State of Israel.

During our life in the United States we did our best to speak out for the Jewish people and the State of Israel in different Jewish organizations but never could imagine that we have such a sincere and great support among the Christians of America. All of a sudden we were among many representatives of millions of Christians who expressed their determination to treat the Jews and Israel as real friends in our common human destiny. Because of the CUFI we have an objective reason to believe in the greater future for the Jewish nation.

Vladimir and Marina Tsesis

As Christians, we must realize God’s NEVER ENDING love for the Jewish people. The church of Jesus Christ, was never meant to abandon them or persecute them, yet this is exactly what history tells us Christianity has done. God made a promise to Abraham in the very beginning that stands firm in the heart of God today. In Genesis 12:3 (NKJV) we read: “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

I am not motivated to love the Jewish people or support Israel out of a desired to be blessed or a fear of being cursed. I am motivated to love them because God loves them dearly. I am motivated to love them because through them Jesus our Savior came and through them we have all the scripture and knowledge of God that instructs our heart today. I am motivated to love them because they are precious to God and He has them very much in His heart and plan. They are brothers and sisters to me! And “Love never fails!”

Psalm 122:6 (NKJV)”Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt