What happens when followers of Jesus abandon His most radical command?
As the world watches Gaza descend into an unimaginable humanitarian crisis, new reports describe children starving, millions of people displaced, and civilians being shot while trying to collect food. Israeli officials have publicly stated that depriving Gaza’s population of supplies is part of the military strategy.
This is where we are.
And the question every follower of Jesus should be asking is: how are we supposed to respond?
Many American Christians, especially those influenced by Christian Zionism, automatically defend every action taken by the modern Israeli state, including its military operations. They believe this support is faithful to Scripture. But is it?
Let’s return to Jesus for the answer.
Christ was born in Israel, lived among the Jewish people, and preached directly to them. He told them to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). He told them to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). He told them to put away the sword (John 18:11). The Sermon on the Mount wasn’t delivered to Rome or to Egypt or to Washington. It was delivered to Israel — and ultimately for the benefit of humanity.
Fast forward to today and you’ll find that American Christians who say they “follow Jesus” are among the strongest supporters of sending weapons to help Israel do the very thing He told them not to do.
The irony here is as thick as it is tragic.
Christian Zionism, a teaching that I actually sympathized with until around 2022, teaches that the modern state of Israel is God’s “chosen” nation and deserves unwavering political and military support. But, lest we forget, Israel was established in 1948 through violent conflict and has continued to pursue its goals through war ever since. Jesus gave us a clear warning about that kind of path: “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52). Those are His words, not mine.
There is no double standard in the gospel. Jesus didn’t teach one ethic for Jews and another for Gentiles. As Paul wrote, “He Himself is our peace… He has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14). There is one people of God and one law of love. No one is exempt.
Both Jews and Gentiles are called to follow the way of Jesus right now… today.
So when American Christians finance Israeli bombs, when they justify collective punishment and ignore the cries of helpless women and starving children, they’re not helping Israel. They’re not following Jesus. They’re betraying both.
Growing up within American evangelicalism, I once believed that the modern state of Israel had a divine blank check. I don’t believe that anymore.
Jesus is the clearest revelation of God’s will. He taught that the will of God does not include the mass suffering of innocent people. Instead, we learn that God’s will is grace and peace among all people groups.
Jesus told Israel to love their enemies.
Christians now tell Israel to kill them.
One of those messages is the gospel. The other is not.
If the theology we believe and the gospel we preach justifies the starvation of children, it isn’t the gospel of peace as revealed by Jesus.
It’s time we told the truth.
Blessings,
P.S. You can help innocent children caught in the crossfire of religious hatred by donating to credible charities that are operating in the Gaza and West Bank areas. One that I personally support is Save the Children. You can donate here.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our six-part series at True Riches Academy entitled “The Cross and the Sword”, a provocative podcast and article series exploring guns, Christian nationalism, and the lost message of Jesus’ nonviolent love. Subscribe to our email list to follow the entire journey.
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