A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Easter IV, May 9, 2004. Please read Acts 13:44-52.

These days there is much discussion about Jewish–Christian relations, particularly as this matter relates to the reading of the New Testament. Many of the points of objection that were raised in regard to Mel Gibson’s recent film, The Passion of Christ, were not artistic creations by the makers of the film but were depictions of what the Gospels themselves say about the circumstances surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. The overarching question concerns the manner in which Christians read their Scriptures and how that relates to their treatment of Jewish people today. We are well aware of past persecutions of Jews in Europe and other parts of the world. Sadly, some people who have claimed to be Christians have used the Scriptures to justify the mistreatment of Jewish people, but is this something that the Bible itself condones or encourages? Someone may read today’s lesson from the Book of Acts and conclude that the New Testament does indeed encourage hatred toward Jewish people.

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles . . . But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.” (Acts 13:46, 50-51).

The first thing we must understand is that the term “Jew” is not used in the Bible the same way that it is used today. When the New Testament speaks of “the Jews” negatively it is referring to those Jews, often the leaders, who opposed Jesus or the apostles; and it is not referring to an ethnic group. We do well to remember that Jesus himself, along with the apostles, were ethnically Jewish. It is also noteworthy to consider that the text of Acts speaks of Jews who accepted the testimony of Paul and Barnabas. “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43).

The important message given to us in the Book of Acts is not that certain groups opposed the faith, but that “the word of the Lord was published throughout all the land” (13:49), and many people, both Jews and Gentiles, turned to the Lord on the basis of the apostolic preaching. This is what must be primary in the Christian’s mind as he or she reads the Scriptures – that the word of God has continued and will continue to find success in the hearts of many of those who hear it. Certainly, there were Jews who opposed the preaching of the gospel, but there were also Gentiles who did the same. There are those today who do not accepts the good news of Jesus Christ, and in some parts of the world Christians face punishment or death for following Christ. However, we find no precedent in the Scriptures for mistreating those who oppose the Christian message, nor is there any warrant for retaliation against those who mistreat Christians. On the contrary, our Lord bids us pray for those who desire evil for us (St. Matthew 5:43-48).

In this Easter season, when the message of the resurrection of Christ comes to us anew, may we live and speak about our Lord with the full assurance that this message will continue to find receptive hearts, despite all opposition to it. May we especially ask God to give us the grace of his Holy Spirit that we would be faithful followers of the example given by our Lord and his apostles who did not render evil for evil, but demonstrated the love and mercy of Christ who gave himself for the life of the world.
Amen.