When Our Hearts Grow Cold
Have you ever walked past a homeless person on the streets with a sign “Need food” or “Please help”? You may keep walking, while thinking to yourself: I know exactly what that money will be used on.
I’ve done this countless times. As I walk away, part of me wonders… Are they actually hungry? Should I offer to buy them lunch? Why don’t I feel any compassion anymore?
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:35-36)
After reading this verse recently, I was not only convicted, but I saw the heart of God. He is so full of grace and mercy, even when I am undeserving and ungrateful!
I’m not here to argue whether giving or not giving money to homeless on the street is the right answer. But what I do know is my heart response of indifference in situations like these was [or is] wrong. As Luke reminds us, I should choose kindness, mercy, and compassion. Even if a series of bad decisions has led this person to the streets, their situation is dire, and their hope of getting off the streets is bleak.
In the same vein, I’ve seen Christians have similar responses to Jewish people:
Why can’t they see Jesus? They have the Old Testament and the Messianic prophecies; it’s so clear! That’s on them.
They had their chance, they missed it, and now God has moved on to the church.
They rejected Jesus, so they are no longer “God’s chosen people;” we are.
These thoughts are full of ignorance and arrogance, which Paul warned about:
For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery – so that you will not be wise in your own estimation – that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in…. (Romans 11:25, emphasis mine)
And like the example of a homeless person, this response to the Jewish people shows a lack of compassion and mercy. We ourselves were once separated from God. We were homeless and without hope of heaven. But by God’s grace (and only by His grace!), we came to hear and welcome the Good News. We now know we have a home in heaven waiting for us.
What would it look like to change our cold hearts to be more in line with Scripture, and God’s heart for the Jewish people?
Yet the Lord set His affection on your fathers [the patriarchs], to love them, and He chose their descendants [the Jewish people] after them, you over all the other peoples, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 10:15)
But now, this is what the Lord says, He who is your Creator, Jacob,
And He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine! (Isaiah 43:1)
…I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you out with kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3b)
But what does the New Testament say? Did Jesus change things?
In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers… (Romans 11:28)
Not only does the New Testament call the Jewish people beloved, but Jesus – though rejected by many Jewish people (but not all!) – as He neared the cross, responded with profound compassion for Israel:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her young under her wings, and you were unwilling!” (Luke 13:34)
If this is how Jesus responded with this type of compassion toward His wayward people, it is important that we, ourselves, consider: what would it look like if the church took on the heart of Jesus? When we encounter Jewish people, Gentiles – really, people of every and any kind – what if our first responses were those of compassion, kindness, and the mercy and grace Jesus has shown to us?
Or in other words: What would it look like if instead of just “walking past” people, we would take time to “stop” and see them through God’s eyes?
Written by Stephanie, Life in Messiah staff
Are there any people groups you feel a disdain towards? What would it look like to replace that with a heart of compassion?
For more on Romans 11, God’s heart for the Jewish people, and a correct Gentile response, check out these episodes of The TŌV Podcast (recorded by LIFE’s Executive Director): Romans 11 Verse by Verse and Do the Gentiles Want to Know?
Prefer to read instead? Here is a great blog on Christians and the rise of antisemitism. It breaks down Romans 11 and goes into depth how Israel’s hardening is only partial and temporary, while warning Christians against falling into arrogance or hostility (and how we can act instead!).