From Hatred to Healing:

The Power of Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ                         

In today’s world, we are facing deep divisions. It seems like there is no end to the conflict and hatred that fills the headlines. Just look at what is happening in Israel and the Middle East—centuries of tensions that have boiled over into violence and terror. Israel is under attack again, not just from external enemies, but from a wave of hatred that seeks to wipe them off the map—again. And beyond the borders of the Middle East, this hate is spreading. We’re seeing it in the rise of antisemitism across the world, especially in places like America, where Jewish communities are being targeted. This is not a new story, but it is one that is playing out in more horrific ways today.

We cannot ignore the truth that there is a global rise in antisemitism. The ongoing violence and bloodshed in Gaza and Israel and again, between Russia and Ukraine, has unleashed more hatred toward the Jewish people, and it has become a dangerous force not only in the Middle East but also across the world. Whether it’s in the streets of European cities or on college campuses in the U.S., we are witnessing protests, marches, and even open calls for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. The cries for violence, the calls to erase a nation from existence, echo a hatred that has been alive for centuries. This is not just about politics; it’s about a deep spiritual darkness that refuses to recognize the dignity and worth of all people, especially the Jewish people.

But as we look at these events unfolding, we must remember the bigger picture. While evil may be raging in the world, we are not left without hope. God is still on His throne, and His justice, though sometimes delayed, is always sure. His love for His people, the Israelites, has never wavered, and His promises to them remain true. It’s important for us to remember this in the midst of all the chaos—the hatred toward the Jewish people is not new. It has existed for centuries, but it has never stopped God from fulfilling His purposes. In fact, God has repeatedly shown us through history that He will defend His people and bring judgment upon those who rise up against them.

This is not just about Israel—it’s about all of humanity. God's justice extends to all people. And His heart is that everyone, from every nation, would come to know His love and grace. The rise of antisemitism today isn’t just a political or cultural issue—it’s a spiritual battle, one that ultimately reflects a rejection of God’s plan for peace and reconciliation in the world. It’s a rejection of the love that Jesus demonstrated when He came to offer His life for all, not just one group of people, but for the entire world.

As we reflect on the situation in Israel, we also need to remember that God is a God of justice, but He is also a God of mercy. Yes, He brings judgment upon evil—this is clear from the Scriptures—but He also desires that no one should perish, but that all would come to repentance. Jesus, when He came, made this clear. He didn’t come to condemn but to save. His life, His sacrifice, His resurrection—these things were all part of God’s plan to offer us a way out of the darkness that surrounds us.

It’s hard to think about these things when we see the violence and the hatred unfolding around us. It’s hard to grasp the enormity of the injustice. But we must not let the darkness define us. We are not to be overcome by hatred or fear, but instead, we are called to respond in love, to reflect the heart of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His peace. Jesus did not respond to the violence of His time with retaliation. Even as He was betrayed, arrested, and crucified, He did not respond with anger or revenge. Instead, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

This is the heart we are called to have. We are called to be agents of peace in a world that is torn apart by conflict. That means living in a way that reflects the love of God, even when it feels impossible. It means standing up against injustice, but doing so in a way that brings healing, not more violence. It means, as Yeshua taught, turning the other cheek, forgiving those who hurt us, and loving our enemies. This is not an easy call—it’s a radical one. But it is the call of the Gospel.

And yet, we must also hold onto the truth that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. Jesus Himself, when He returns, will bring perfect justice. There will be no more hatred, no more violence, no more tears. Every wrong will be made right. But until that day comes, we live with the responsibility of being His ambassadors, bringing His Kingdom of peace to this world. We are not passive observers waiting for justice to come; we are active participants in His plan of redemption. We are called to bring His love to those who are hurting, to speak out against evil, and to work toward reconciliation, especially in places of deep division.

This is where the Gospel becomes even more powerful. Jesus didn’t just come to reconcile us to God. He came to reconcile us to one another. Through the blood of Christ, the walls of hostility that divide us—whether based on ethnicity, religion, or history—can be torn down. The love of Jesus is the only thing that can bring peace between people who have been enemies for centuries. This is not just a message of personal salvation—it’s a message of global reconciliation. It’s a message that transcends borders and nationalities.

Think about the situation in Israel and the Middle East. It may seem impossible for Jews and Arabs to live in peace. The history is long and painful, and the wounds run deep. But the love of Jesus offers a way forward—a way that calls both Jew and Arab, both Palestinian and Israeli, to lay down their hatred and their history of pain and to be reconciled in Christ. This is the hope of the Gospel—not just that we can be reconciled to God, but that we can be reconciled to one another.

And what about the Gentiles? What about the nations of the world? They too are called to be part of this reconciliation. Through Christ, the love of God is not limited to one people group. It extends to all nations, all tribes, and all tongues. God’s plan from the beginning was always for the world to be reconciled to Him, and through His Son, Jesus, that plan is being fulfilled.

So, in the midst of all the violence and hatred we see today, we must remember that God’s justice is coming. It will be perfect, and it will be just. But until that day, we are called to reflect His heart—to love, to forgive, and to be agents of reconciliation in a world that is desperately divided. This is our role in the story. As we face the pain of today, we hold on to the hope that Jesus is coming again. And in the meantime, we must live as though His Kingdom has already come—bringing peace, healing, and love to a broken world.

No matter the darkness we see in the world, we must remember that God’s justice is not something we should fear. It is something we should look forward to because it will restore all things. And in the meantime, we live by His example, loving and forgiving those around us, reaching across divides, and working for peace wherever we can. The love of Christ is the only thing that can heal the divisions in the world—and through Him, Jews, Arabs, and Gentiles can come together under one banner: the banner of Christ’s love.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and it is only through His love that we will find true peace—peace with God and peace with each other. No matter how broken the world may seem, we are called to be agents of that peace. His love is stronger than any hatred or division, and through Him, we have hope. Even when it seems impossible, we trust that His Kingdom will come, and we are part of that Kingdom now. Let us live in that hope, and let that hope guide us as we face the challenges of today. Because in the end, His justice and His love will triumph over all, whether we want it or not.

בָּרוּךְ הַשֵּׁם יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ
Baruch Hashem Yeshua HaMashiach

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Anna M. C. Hazen 2025