Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Memorial Day

Walking through Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Rememberance Center in Jerusalem, was a very sobering experience. Our group of volunteers gathered together to debrief after the tour. Hearts were heavy as we attempted to describe what we were feeling. As a Christian, it is very difficult to face the reality that many of the atrocities committed against the Jews were done in our Savior’s name. How should we respond to this horrific misrepresentation, and what is our responsibility to the Jewish people now?

These thoughts were swirling in my head when one of our young volunteers stood and said with conviction, “As I went through the Holocaust memorial today, man, I just realized how I need to be more connected to what’s going on in the world. Genocides are taking place right now and I don’t know anything about them! From now on I’m going to make a real effort to find out what is happening all over the world and do my part to stop evil, wherever it is.”

All of us gave a hearty “amen” and continued our debrief. That night as I laid in bed, his words kept playing over and over in my head. He was right. We need to be more aware of what is happening in the world and do our part. But something was missing. I sensed that what happened in World War Two was more than a tragic genocide of history...but, what was different about it?  

Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remeberance Day. Today we remember the martyers and heros of the Holocaust. It is hard to intentionally look back and see the horrific realities that transpired in our not so distant history. Though it is difficult, we must look back.

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This quote, attributed to Winston Churchill, is very relevant. If we do not learn what has happened, we cannot learn from the mistakes that were made by those who went before us. We must identify the mistakes and try to understand why these mistakes were made.

In order for us to go beyond the mistakes and find the why behind them, I think we need to go a little further back in history than WWII. The Nazi regime was not the first to attempt to annihilate the Jewish people. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, etc… all purposed to put an end to the people of Israel. 

This is exactly what was prophesied in Exodus: “The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:16)

This was the “more” that I was looking for after our experience at Yad VaShem. The Holocaust was not the same as the other genocides that the world has seen. The Holocaust was a direct attack against God and His will for this earth!

God's desire is for the Jewish people and the land of Israel to be a light to all the nations of the earth. That is why the enemy of God - “Amalek”  - arises to try to extinguish their flame in every generation. This is also the reason why the Jews have been supernaturally preserved despite horrific persecutions, exile and immense pressure to assimilate. God has big plans for Israel. These plans will affect the entire world! 

On this Yom HaShoah, let’s acknowledge that antisemitism and Jew hatred is equal to God hatred. Let’s align ourselves with God’s will and His plans for Israel and the world. Let’s repent, turn 360 degrees around from our criticism, hatred, and persecution of the Jews and be intentional about blessing, loving, and supporting them! This is God’s will! For those of us who call on His Name it is time to be about His business! 

May God bless us all with wisdom and strength as we check our will in at the door and accept His orders to build His kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven!