arab rights in Israel

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

My wife Renee and I just returned with a group of over 120 from a wonderful trip to Israel. It was a trip to be remembered as we experienced much more than just visiting the sites where Jesus walked, taught and lived. We went there to interact with and love on the Jewish people there, letting them know that there are millions of Christians from the United States that stand in solidarity supporting them.

Israel is a persecuted nation who has always been surrounded by her enemies and a world of nations that succumb to false political propaganda against the greatest pro-peace and pro-human rights nation second only to America – Israel. Yet, because of a predominant radical Muslim hatred whose faith calls for the destruction of Jews, Israel suffers slander, defamation, and the never-ending barrage of disinformation toward the delegitimization of Israel – falsifying her history and true right to the land that is hers. And this has been her entire history while the world stands indifferent for fear of becoming the radical’s target of terrorism. Make no mistake about the attacks on Israel and anyone who supports her: intimidation is the game and Israel’s destruction is the goal. Get in the way and you become their target. And until Muslims that profess to be peace-loving and non-violent, stand up and condemn the violence of the extreme radicals, they will be held in suspect of the goal of Muslim domination.

This is the very reason that Christians United for Israel has grown in less than six years to over one million members. The world is filled with Christians that remember the shame of the apathy and anti-Semitism of the Holocaust and have vowed to never allow that to happen again! Israel is America’s great ally. She is the only true light of Democracy in the entire Middle East. And the truth is, Israeli Arab citizens have more civil rights and benefits as citizens of Israel than Arabs in any other Middle East nation. And these are just a few reasons why we work to show our love, support, and solidarity for Israel.

We held a night to Honor Israel in Jerusalem with Pastor John Hagee and guest speaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among others.We held a large parade down Ben Hehuda Street in Jerusalem led by drummers that ignited the atmosphere. We marched with flags and signs of support for Israel. The people of Jerusalem watched and cheered and cried with thanks! One short older Jewish woman walked up to me with tears running down her face and said, “Oh thank you, thank you! I have to kiss and hug someone. Can I hug you?” We embraced in a big hug and kissed each other on the cheek. Another man cried tears of joy and could not stop crying. We gave him a group hug and he wanted to take a picture with us. These are moments I’ll never forget! The Jewish crowds cheered with laughter, thanks, and great appreciation of support.

Christians are waking up to this spiritual insight from God’s heart. They are awaking to the truth that Jesus was first a Jew and the roots of our Christian heritage are Jewish. What we have in common is far greater than the things we’ve allowed to separate us over the years. Genesis 12:3 says “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” Those blessings are very real and those judgments are also very real. As Christians we owe a debt of gratitude to the Jewish people. They gave us the word of God. They gave us the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They gave us the Prophets: Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zachariah, Amos, Josiah, Joel. Jesus’ own family was Jewish as were the Apostles. In John chapter four Jesus said, “…salvation is of the Jews.” If you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity there would be no Christianity. Judaism does not need Christianity to explain its existence, but Christianity cannot explain its existence without Judaism. Don’t make the mistake of letting the politics of a few Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day crucifying Jesus result in anti-Semitism in your heart. Remember, the will of God was in place so that our Savior could suffer for our sins. Anti-Semitism is an abomination to God and has accomplished nothing but create confusion, death and pain to those who are the apple of God’s eye.

It is Jerusalem where Jesus will return. His love for the Jewish people is great. God has a great plan for the Jewish people. When Christians that think they have replaced the Jews in the plan of God, not only are they wrong, but they have opened their hearts to becoming vessels of anti-Semitism. It is that kind of thinking that allowed the Holocaust to happen and it is present again today. Many people fear that supporting Israel creates hostility from terrorists for our nation, and to avoid that, we should break ties with Israel. That would be the demise of our nation.

We are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. How do we do that? Pray that God will stop her enemies and protect the people of Israel. Pray that our government will show unified support for Israel—not dictate their policies. Pray for the leaders and people of Israel. Israel is our greatest ally in this earth and deserves our unwavering support as they best decide how to lead their nation.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts. ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.’ Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.” Zechariah 8:2-3

If you are interested in learning how to support Israel, click here: Support Israel

If you would like to join me in Washington DC for our 2012 Washington Summit to support Israel, learn more at: 2012 Washington Summit

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt