Ask the Pastor

Our reading through the New Testament has generated more questions than usual, so I’ll answer two today instead of one:

Q1: One of my favorite CLCers writes: “My question comes from Israel’s response to Pilate when they chose Jesus to be crucified in Matthew 27:25 - Did Israel curse themselves?  Is this also generational curses?  Is this a basis for Anti-Semitism (but that was also going on in the O.T.)?”

Great questions!  Let’s take them in order: (a) yes, in my humble opinion, Israel did curse themselves by verbally declaring that Jesus’ blood would be upon them.  The horrible persecutions that have come, including the devastation in 70 A.D. and certainly Hitler’s holocaust seem to have been some of the result.  (b) It was a generational curse in the sense that it continued for generations – but usually when we speak of generational curses today, we’re referring to individual or family curses, rather than a national curse. (c) It certainly has been used for expressions of anti-Semitism in past history – as even Christian churches & leaders of previous generations have spoken of the Jews as being “Christ-killers”, etc. (d) yes, anti-Semitism had already begun even in the OT, so this would not have been the sole cause.

Obviously, NONE of this excuses anti-Semitism today!  God has not rejected the Jewish people forever (Romans 11:1).  Instead, at CLC, we are investing in Jewish evangelism, with faith for an end-time harvest greater than ever! (Romans 11:11-15)

Q2: Another faithful CLCer writes, “Was John the Baptist really Elijah??  The way the Lord puts it in Matthew it sounds like it?!!  Elijah never died and the resurrection of Jesus had not taken place yet.  Elijah was born and John was born so it would seem to be 2 separate individuals.  Any insight??

More great questions.  I must admit that this is only my opinion, since Scripture could be interpreted either way – but I personally do not believe that John the Baptist was literally Elijah.  I base my opinion, in part, on Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13 – particularly where Jesus said “if you are willing to receive it” – since if it was literally true, it wouldn’t matter if they were willing to receive it or not!  My opinion is that John the Baptist was born, separate & apart from Elijah of the OT, but that he did come in the same spirit & power of Elijah, to fulfill prophecy.

Hope these helped.  Now, what would YOU like to Ask the Pastor?