Both the Bible and history books tell us that during the reign of Emperor Claudius, Jews were expelled from Rome because of public disturbances about “Chrestus”. The career of Paul outlined in Acts shows how disturbing the proclamation of Christ as the Messiah could be to traditional Jews. The absence of Jewish Christians from church meant that the Gentile Christians had to assume leadership. The situation was confused and probably charged with animosity when the Jewish Christians were allowed to return after about six years of exile. Who’s in charge now? This toxic brew of jealousy and hate gave rise to antisemitism.
God told Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, that he and his family were chosen to be a blessing to the whole world. Those who blessed Israel would be blessed; those who cursed it would be cursed. (See Genesis 12 and 15). God called this nation His peculiar people. The word translated peculiar actually means encircled. God set the Jewish people apart so that Israel could become his witness nation. If the world wants to know the ways of God, exhibit A is His dealings with the Jewish people.
This is why He gives the Jews so many identity markers. Cut your hair in this certain way, eat these foods and avoid these other foods, celebrate these special holidays, wear garments made from this kind of cloth, keep a sabbath every week with these particular habits and prohibitions. Men must be circumcised. These are the rules and behaviors that encircle and set apart God’s special people.
Satan wants to take the circle God draws around Israel and make it the center of a series of concentric circles that becomes a bull’s eye. He wants us to believe the Jews are special because they are especially evil and vile. Antisemitism is the work of the devil.
Paul tells the squabbling Jewish and Gentile Christians to think of the history of salvation as a tree (Romans 11). Abraham and his family were planted by God to bear fruit – a history of how God deals with people. His discipline, protection, and guidance are set forth before the world through the Jewish people. Israel is and always will be that tree bearing witness to God, because “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom.11:29).
The tree Paul describes is being reshaped by God. He is pruning and removing dead branches (the unbelieving Jews). He is grafting into His salvation tree believing Gentiles. Whatever kind of branch you are, Jew or Gentile, remember that you are being supported and nourished by the root of the tree, the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. There is no room for antisemitism in the Christian faith. The Jewish people and the nation of Israel are the blessed witnesses of God’s dealings. All of the apostles were Jewish. Three of the four gospel writers were Jewish. Jesus was a Jew, as was Paul. God blesses those who bless the Jews and curses those who curse them (Gen.12:3).