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Recent news stories in North America, and indeed in many other parts of the world, reveal the growing antisemitic rhetoric and yes even the number of violent acts in our time targeting Jewish people.  While many in our world would like to rewrite the history books, or at least cause those already written to be overlooked, there are tragic lessons of history that must not be forgotten.  

This week hopefully we spent some serious moments remembering those who gave their lives or suffered life altering injuries in twentieth century wars.  The cost and the lessons must not be forgotten.  While our attention may be focussed on the soldiers, we must not forget the loss of lives for those whose only crime was being Jewish.  Yes, there are many in our world who wish to write the holocaust out of history, but we must not let that happen either.

Until a year or so ago my personal history of that period might have been described as the Cole’s Notes or High School text- book version.  But I then I decided to explore a detailed account of the period and I’m glad I did. If you haven’t done so I highly recommend it. It certainly helps one remember.

Have you ever wondered why God included the book of Esther in our canon of scripture? I’m sure there are many reasons and it does make a wonderful narrative. But consider for a moment this verse from chapter four verse fourteen:

 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

It refers of course to the plot of the evil Haman, a plan to have all the Jews exterminated throughout the land.  It helps me remember that sadly antisemitism, hatred and violence toward the Jewish people has persisted throughout most of history.  It also reminds me that despite the tragedies God aways preserves a remnant of his people.

There is of course another piece of history that many have tried, and continue to try, to rewrite. Unfortunately for them archeologists keep digging up support for the historical events surrounding the cross of Calvary.  We must remember it too.  That historical event and the blood shed there made forgiveness possible for those who would ask for it and believe by faith that Jesus did in fact pay their sin penalty in full. That piece of history cannot be rewritten!  The cost of that battle was enormous as well.  It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.  I Peter 1:19.   A historical event that must be remembered and continues to change lives today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Pastor Dave