[soc.religion.christian] Gentile HEROES of the Holocaust

benning@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com (04/10/91)

******** Gentile Heroes of the Holocaust **********

Brothers and sisters in Messiah Jesus,

This April 11, many of our Jewish brothers and sisters will observe what is
called "Yom Hashoa", (Holocaust Rememberance Day). Of all the enigmas facing
historians, none is as dark a period as the Holocaust. It was a time of
darkness and a time when the world adopted an attitude of indifference.
Especially toward the Jews who were suffering so at the hands of the Nazis.

As I minister to Jewish men and women, one thing that always comes up is
that it was the "Christians" who were responsible for many of the deaths of
the Jewish people in Europe. The terms Christian, Gentile, and Nazi become
a horrifying trinity. I hear how Christians have always been anti-semetic. It
was just a while ago that Mr. Robert Levene reminded us that Martin Luther
was remembered as the man who urged action such as burning down the 
synagogues, destroy jewish dwellings, force Jews into physical labor and take
their holy books. No matter what good Luther did, he will always be remembered 
by the Jewish people as an enemy of the Jewish people. This is most unfortunate.

Also, and EVEN MORE Unfortunate, is that Jesus has been regarded as the ring-
leader of the Holocaust. When our Messianic Congregation has public events 
here in Cleveland, some Jewish groups always come out to hand out pamphlets 
that state "Nazis were Christians, to enter into these dwellings, you become 
one of them." These are the terrible scars of the heart, that are beneath the
surface. A frightening paranoia of all that is Christian and bares the name
of Jesus. There only cure, is the one they deny. Yet, we are the ones to blame
for our lack of concern and not Jesus.

Yet, during those harsh days of the Holocaust, there did shine a light of 
Christian love. There were those who risked there lives, and the lives of 
their loved ones to save one or two Jewish lives from the "camps" of death.
Thanks to these heroes of the faith, thousands of Jewish lives were saved.
The names; Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat;Oskar Schindler, a German 
industrialist; Anna Polewska, a Polish house keeper;the Dominican nuns in 
Vilno;Joop Westerweel, a Dutch teacher; Father Joseph Andre, a Belgian 
Catholic priest, and many thousands more. A small Protestant farm community in 
France called Le Chanbon, under leadership of Reverend Andre Trocme, saved
5,000 Jews, mostly children. He is quoted as saying "Pacifism doesn't mean
doing nothing." How true. Even under threats of retaliation from the Nazis,
Reverend Trocme stood firm. When the towns people were interviewed as to 
why they did this, they answered "The people needed our help and it was just 
the right thing to do." I wonder if people today would have such moral 
convictions and courage. Today, the people of Le Chanbon are remembered, and
honored at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. 16,000 trees have been planted in honor
of these "righteous Gentiles." 

How often have you heard of these people? Perhaps this is the first time. 
How about our Jewish friends? What do they remember more, the gentiles 
who killed their families or those who saved them?

Today, I ask you to examine your heart. What are your attitudes toward Israel
and G-ds' chosen people? Would you see them sent to the gas chambers or would
you lay down your life for your brother and sister? Who would be glorified in
your actions; Our Lord or Satan? As the last days approach, we can count on
things heating up for G-ds' people, both Jews and Christians. How will you
react to the evil around you. Will you return curse for curse, or will you
bless those who curse you? Will you return evil for evil, or will you overcome
evil with good. We are witnesses of light and love. Let us show Jesus in ALL
our actions. Let us be friends with our Jewish co-workers, and neighbors. 
Let Jesus work in your heart to tear down any wall that the "world" has built
and eliminate all obstacles to show them you care for them. If there is a hint
of anti-semetism in your opinions, give it to G-d, and ask Him to take it 
away, for your good and the good of the Jewish people. It is hard to show
someone Jesus, when we are doing the work Satan. 

 Sincerely,
 Bruce Benning

    -------------Religion may inform and reform-------------
    ----------but only Messiah Jesus can Transform----------

  Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has
  done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my
  tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have
  listened and heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who  has not rejected
  my prayer or withheld his love from me.
                                          [Psalm 66:16-20]