A Scriptural Response to a Smashed Statue

Christians should respond Biblically when the Nation of Israel or individual Jews sin.

Apr 30, 2026

Recently you may have seen a picture of an Israeli soldier smashing a Catholic statue of Jesus on the cross. And, even though the IDF and Israeli leaders have quickly and vehemently condemned this soldier’s actions and sentenced him to 30 days in military prison, the outrage (sincere or opportunistic) was widespread. You have probably heard many different opinions online, most vehemently denouncing this man’s actions. Perhaps you have heard the term “Christ killers” thrown around as well. When I saw that picture, my feelings were not hatred, but sadness. That soldier is rejecting the only One Who can save him: his Messiah.

While the Nation of Israel is not represented by this soldier (any more than the USA is represented by one person), it is sadly true that the majority of the Jews have rejected their Messiah, and like the entire world, they are sinners (Romans 3:23). So, as Christians, what should our response be? After all, Israel is God’s chosen people (Psalm 135:4), and the apple of His eye (Zech. 2:8). How can we Biblically respond to Israel’s rejection of Christ and when they commit sin?

1. What did Jesus say?

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10

Israel rejected their Messiah when Jesus came. But in Luke 23:34, Jesus said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” I believe this should be our response as well. When anyone - Jew or Gentile - rejects Christ, we should pray for them, not hate them. Ezekiel 33:11 and 2 Peter 3:9 clearly show that God wants all of us, including Israel, to turn to Him.

Remember, until we were saved, all of us rejected our Savior Messiah.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Romans 2:1

2. Are the Jews really “Christ Killers”?

This is a very important topic. Many people use the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as an excuse to hate Israel, calling them “Christ killers”. But Jesus wasn’t killed, He willingly laid down His life “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 10:17-18

Every one of the Gospels records that He gave (or yielded) up the ghost. (See Matt. 27: 50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, and John 19:30.) Furthermore, though the jealous Jewish religious leaders worked to have Christ put to death (Matthew 27:20), it was the Roman rulers and soldiers who consented despite declaring Him to be innocent (Luke 23:4, Mark 15:13-27) and actually crucified Him.

Consider this in light of Acts 4:27-28:

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined to be done.

Clearly we, Jews and Gentiles, are all responsible for Christ’s death. And Isaiah 53:6 tells us the sins of every one who has sinned were laid on Him. So who really killed Christ?

3. Has God forsaken His people because of their unbelief?

To quote the Apostle Paul, “God forbid.” Romans 11 reminds us that although Israel is going through a time of rebellion and unbelief, God has not forsaken them.

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11:1-5

Even when the Jews forsake God, even when they “have killed thy [God’s] prophets, and digged down thine [God’s] altars,” God will not forsake His people.

Why?

Because God gave Abraham an “everlasting covenant”. (Gen. 17:7) If you read through the rest of Genesis 17, you will notice several times when God says “I will”. This covenant was based on God’s Word, which stands forever (Isa. 40:8, 1 Pet. 1:25), not on man.

Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Jeremiah 31:35-36

Psalm 111:9 tells us “He hath commanded his covenant for ever…” Psalm 105:8 and 106:45 assure us that God remembers His covenant. In Psalm 89:3-4, God swears to David to establish his seed forever and his throne to all generations. This reminds us of Israel’s future, when God will gather His people again and reign over them.

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people…
Isaiah 11:10-11a

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.
Amos 9:14-15

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zechariah 2:10-12

Aren’t you glad the same God Who keeps His promises and preserves His People will also keep His promise to us and preserve our souls until He returns for us?

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6

4. How can we respond?

Pray.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Romans 10:1

This should be our desire and prayer as well. Timothy also tells us to pray for all men (1 Tim. 2:1). Pray for missionaries in Israel, too. Witnessing to a Jew is considered trying to “take them from the faith” and it is illegal to witness to minors. Pray that missionaries will have the courage to speak boldly (Eph. 6:19-20) but graciously (Col. 4:6).

Advocate.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Proverbs 31:8

There are stern warnings in the Bible about Israel’s enemies but also a blessing for Israel’s friends:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:3

This world of social media and internet makes it very easy for lies to spread. We need to stand firm, shine as light, and hold forth “the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-16). Let’s be like the watchmen in Isaiah 62:6-7, who make mention of the Lord and never hold their peace. Don’t excuse Israel’s or individual Jew’s sin, but understand that they are still God’s chosen people.

Witness.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16

Jews are often surprised when they learn of Christians who love them. (Remember, the Jews have been persecuted many times by “Christians”. For instance, even Hitler claimed to be a Christian.) Showing we care can help open doors for Christ.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38

Let’s spread the Gospel anyway we can, through our actions, words, and deeds. You never know who is watching.

If you want to learn about how to witness to God’s people, or just want to learn more about this topic, I highly recommend checking out the resources of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries. They offer free training sessions and teaching videos to help you learn more about God’s special people.