A very slow miracle (yes, some miracles take time) is happening before our eyes. Israelis are becoming familiar with Yeshua (Jesus) through His followers. Jews in America are becoming softer when I – and others – speak openly about the Lord. And it is the same with Jewish people all over the world.

How different it was when I started defending Jews from hatred some 25 years ago. They were in "thrill/shock” when we showed up in many places to face down the "new Nazis” who wished to terrify Jews and destroy Jewish synagogues and homes.

Jewish audiences listened in stunned silence as I related how Jesus had turned me from an antisemite to a lover of Israel and defender of Jews. Few men were given such a privilege as I had in speaking to Jewish groups and congregations across America and in Canada.

I can never forget the Cleveland, Ohio synagogue where I was asked to speak to some 4,000 people on Yom Kippur. When I finished, there was a standing ovation. The stunned rabbi told me this broke all their rules in silence and decorum on the Jewish most hold day of atonement. He was beaming.

Belief in Yeshuah, to the Jews, was apparently great for me. Of course, not for them. That would be most "unJewish”, what with 1700 years of persecution Jews suffered at the hands of false Christians who turned the cross in to a sword. But young people would ask me concerning my miraculous change of heart: "How?” "What happened?” They wanted details.

I had always told them, "I am your invited guest and will not humiliate or anger you with my personal convictions about Yeshua. But I warn you, don’t ask me about the miracle in my life unless you want straight answers.” They asked! I answered, and spoke openly and boldly of the prophetic Jesus who had come to love, offered Himself for sin, died and was raised from the dead.

Word got around that probably went: "Listen to Eiklor’s message of unconditional love and support, but don’t ask him about his faith.” Yet, other than the leaders, I almost always saw a softness in Jewish faces toward me even when I spoke of my Savior. They knew I had already backed up the talk with my walk.

Flash forward a few decades. I now take this heart of God’s enduring love for Israel around the world. And often, I find greater reception to my call to Christians in other lands to truly love their Jewish neighbors than I find in America. For example, when I was in India, the Indian believers were more enthusiastic than any believers in the world in their willingness to stand by Israel. Do you know why? It was more than their nearness geographically. This was their answer. "We followers of Jesus are a tiny minority in our country of Hindus and Muslims. We know what it is like to suffer and stand alone-just like Israel must stand alone.” Isn’t that beautiful?!

So today there is no need to be timid in declaring Yeshuah alive and involved in His love for planet earth-Jew and Gentile. A biblical miracle is unfolding – like the blind man whom Jesus healed but he only saw people like trees walking. Then the Lord completed the miracle, and the man received 20/20 vision. So is this miracle today – happening in stages – but it shall be completed. And when the Jews take back Yeshuah as their own, God will use them to give forth His love. Jewish followers of the Lamb and the Lion will accomplish in a brief time what we Gentiles have not done in some 2000 years. And the earth will ring with the glory of God!

Frank Eiklor