Introduction:
The Messiah our Lord Jesus was Jewish yet in Israel for the most part His name is not welcomed, not only in Israel but also in Jewish communities around the world. To this day by and large in Jewish communities the followers of the Messiah our Lord Jesus are persecuted for the sake of His name. Did not the Messiah Himself say to His disciples who were also all Jewish; “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of man” (Luke 6:22).
He also expressed His love for His own that rejected Him as their Messiah and Passover Lamb when He said “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14). Even as He hung on the cross He said to His father in Heaven; “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
When Stephen was being stoned to death at the orders of the religious Jews overseen by Saul before he was saved, Stephen prayed the same prayer the Lord Jesus had prayed on the cross; “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” Then he fell down on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he said this he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60).
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