In this episode of Israel Unveiled, Sandy Wezowicz, Israel Education Director for Aglow International, addresses what she calls an identity crisis in the church regarding its relationship to Israel and its Jewish roots. She explains how the early church was deeply connected to Judaism, with Jesus and the apostles observing Jewish customs and identifying with their Jewish heritage. However, over time, a shift occurred, starting with the influx of Gentile believers, which gradually separated the church from its Jewish foundation. Key events, such as the Bar Kokhba revolt (132 A.D.) and Emperor Hadrian’s destruction of Jerusalem (135 A.D.), further severed the connection. As Gentile leadership increased, the church distanced itself from its Hebraic roots, effectively “Gentilizing” Jesus and creating fertile ground for anti-Semitism. Sandy highlights that the church is not a replacement for Israel but rather partakers in the covenants and promises given to the Jewish people. She emphasizes the need for believers to embrace the Jewish roots of their faith with humility and gratitude.
