Wednesday, Mar 5th - Hero: Olivier Melnick

Olivier is a French man from Southern California. Doesn't sound like someone I would consider a Hero, right?

Well, Olivier is a Completed Jew. By that I mean he is Jewish and he believes that Jesus Christ was the Messiah prophecied in the Old Testament. He came and spoke at our church last week and conducted a seminar at another church last Sunday. I learned so much and am currently reading his book.

The study was aimed at how to give Testimony to Jewish people about Christ, but he talked a lot about the history of the Jewish people. I am truly amazed at the ability of this group of people to persevere so much tragedy and adversity and bigotry.

I would challenge each of you to think about any stereotypes you have about Jewish people and think of this: The Jewish people were driven out of their country by Alexander the Great and since then have seen there religion become a crime punishable by death during the time of Constantine. Their history was completely wiped out of any recognized Historical records. During the Council of Nicea, the Old Testament was 'sanitized' to remove some of the greatest historical accounts of the Jewish people. Over the last century, country after country began pushing them out and forcing them into areas called "Ghettos" and not allowed to mix in with the rest of society. And of course, the Holocaust cost over 6 million people their lives. Their only crime? Being born Jewish. God's Chosen People.

Have you ever wondered where the 'Jews love money' stereotype comes from? Why so many Jews are doctors, lawyers, bankers, authors, artists? Think about it. Jews were constantly being forced out of their homes and countries. To make a living, they had to start making their 'trade' something they could pack up and take with them. Intellectual trade was the easiest to do that with. Plus, if they were in these types of trades, there was a good chance that they would be found useful by the non-jewish population.

This can go on and on, but I would challenge everyone to stop and think about it for a minute. What is the big 'crime' that the Jews were held responsible for? Killing Christ? Give me a break. Nobody killed Jesus Christ. He gave His life WILLINGLY. Salvation does not work any other way. Besides, Jesus did not die for Jewish sins... He died for ALL people's sins. You know what was on the end of those Cat-O-Nine tails that stripped the skin from His back? My sins, your sins. The hand that hammered in those nails? My sins, your sins.

Where would we be if He hadn't died on that cross? Even more important, where would we be if He hadn't risen from that grave (provided by a Jewish man, by the way).

Think about that the next time you start to make a joke about Jews, or use the term in a derogatory way. I know I will.

Peace, Love, and GOD,
Tracy