The Crucifixion and Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism The Jewish people are descendants of Shem; thus, they are a part of a larger group of people called “Semites” (Gen. 11:10-26). The Jewish people are descendants of Shem; thus, they are a part of a larger group of people called “Semites” (Gen. 11:10-26). “Anti” to “be against” “Anti” to “be against” Anti-Semitism then is the attitude of animosity or hatred toward Jews. Anti-Semitism then is the attitude of animosity or hatred toward Jews.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Gary Bretton-Granatoor, ADL Advisor on Interfaith Affairs, issued the following statement: The final version of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" now in theaters repeats all of the stereotypes and images surrounding the death of Jesus that have generated anti-Semitism for 2,000 years. We had hoped that Mel Gibson would hear our concerns and make changes; sadly, the epiphany did not happen. Instead of listening to our concerns about the history of the charge of deicide being used to foment anti-Semitism through the centuries, Mr. Gibson attacked his critics and refused to listen to the concerns of Christians and Jews. Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Gary Bretton-Granatoor, ADL Advisor on Interfaith Affairs, issued the following statement: The final version of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" now in theaters repeats all of the stereotypes and images surrounding the death of Jesus that have generated anti-Semitism for 2,000 years. We had hoped that Mel Gibson would hear our concerns and make changes; sadly, the epiphany did not happen. Instead of listening to our concerns about the history of the charge of deicide being used to foment anti-Semitism through the centuries, Mr. Gibson attacked his critics and refused to listen to the concerns of Christians and Jews.

Both Jesus and His apostles had an attitude of love toward those who crucified Jesus.

The Attitude of Jesus Jesus died to save the Jews. Jesus died to save the Jews. “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a)

God offered the gospel first to them. God offered the gospel first to them. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

The Attitude of the apostles They acknowledged that the Jews were fulfilling the sovereign purpose of God. They acknowledged that the Jews were fulfilling the sovereign purpose of God. this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:23) this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:23)

They acknowledged that the crucifixion had been committed in ignorance and out of a spiritual hardening. They acknowledged that the crucifixion had been committed in ignorance and out of a spiritual hardening. “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. (Acts 3:17) “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. (Acts 3:17) What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (Romans 11:7) What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (Romans 11:7)

They urged them to repent and be forgiven and not allow hardness of heart to continue. They urged them to repent and be forgiven and not allow hardness of heart to continue. “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, (Acts 3:19-20) “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, (Acts 3:19-20) “Take heed therefore, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: (Acts 13:40) “Take heed therefore, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: (Acts 13:40)

The NT shows that God’s just wrath was visited upon the Jews who crucified His Son and persecuted His church.

Jesus predicted this day of wrath “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst of the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled. “Woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people, and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:21-24) “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst of the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled. “Woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people, and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:21-24)

The apostles announced the coming of this day of wrath who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. (1 Thessalonians 2:15-16) who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. (1 Thessalonians 2:15-16) The book of Revelation announces the fulfillment of this day of wrath on the “harlot”, the city “where our Lord was also crucified” (Rev. 11: The book of Revelation announces the fulfillment of this day of wrath on the “harlot”, the city “where our Lord was also crucified” (Rev. 11:

The punishment for their rejection of Jesus and His people has come upon the Jewish people in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The sins of the ancient Jewish leadership provide no ground for racial hatred or persecution of Jews at any other time.

Racism violates the principle of personal accountability. “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20) “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Racism violates the love that Jesus lived and taught. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (hn 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (hn 3:16) From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; (Rom. 11:28) From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; (Rom. 11:28)

No true Christian ever practiced racism of any sort with the Lord’s approval.

And opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him. (Acts 10:34-35)