Jesus Was a Jew

Until the last decade or so, I really didn’t know or understand what an anti-Semite was. It is defined as a person who discriminates against or is prejudiced or hostile toward Jews.  Jews are a people group known as Hebrews or Israelites.  To the best of my knowledge I have only known two Jews in my life and they were married to each other; One was my beloved kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Victoria Ghazel, a.k.a. “Mother Goose” and her husband, Mr. Ghazel.  And yes, we really did call her Mother Goose.  She was a very petite lady who exuded joy and happiness.  She would clap her hands at wonderful news, while singing a song, or just to get a little group of children’s attentions.  I can still see her in my mind’s eye.  Mother Goose lived to be over 99 years old. She was part of my family and I still miss her.  She was a Christian Jew.  I drank her sweet Hebrew coffee and listened to many stories of her youth and young married life in Haifa and Palestine.  I don’t ever remember her speaking of the Jewish faith but her Christianity was worn as one wears a shirt, wrapped around her. 

There are groups of Jewish people that have settled all over the United States, but none were ever very close to where I lived. According to https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/largest-jewish-populated-metropolitan-areas-united-states, the states of NJ, and PA have the largest groups.  I have never understood where the anti-Semitism came from because I had never seen it or experienced it.  

The Bible clearly tells us that the Israelites are God’s chosen people.  Moses, the assumed writer of Deuteronomy, says in chapter 7 verse 6, speaking of the Israelites, “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”  How amazing for God to have singled out a specific people group to call his own. 

You cannot be against the Jewish people and claim to believe in Jesus.  Jesus was a Jew! 

Lord, open our eyes that we may see your people always and that your people will know you. Amen