Mothering Sunday in the traditional church originates from the ancient practice of one returning to the church where one was confirmed. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, Christians in the Middle Ages would return in pilgrimage to their ‘mother church’ with the purpose of reconnecting to their personal faith’s beginnings. Mothering Sunday, therefore, became a religious practice of honouring ‘mother churches’. Even servants were given the day off to travel to visit their ‘mother church’ with their families.
Whilst this ancient tradition is no longer common, reconnecting to the roots of our faith is a valuable thought to explore. Except, this does have to mean returning to the beginnings of our Christian experience. Rather, the church through the ages has disconnected itself from the Jewish roots of our faith. If you are a Christian, then your faith is rooted in a Saviour who was Jewish, and a Bible written by Jews to Jews. The Roman church’s removal of the Jewish characteristics of Christianity caused a dividing wedge between Gentiles and Jews, and it would ultimately lead to antisemitism in the name of Christianity. To this day, we see the evidence of replacement theology within the church shaping attitudes towards the Jewish people. It should come as no surprise that this takes the form of opposition to Israel.
The enemy of God has been very clever in manipulating minds to think that standing against Israel is a permissible method of Jew-hatred. Not all opposition to Israel is born out of hate, of course, but spirit behind replacement theology disregards God’s love and purpose for the Jewish people and ultimately opens the door to antisemitism in the church. You cannot be a faithful follower of the Bible and stand against the people whom He foreknew.
Today, we pray that the Church in the UK will return to the Jewish roots of our Christian faith. With a revelation of God’s plan for Israel, the Church will become a blessing towards the Jewish people, rather than a mouthpiece against Israel and a partner with Jew-haters. With this revelation, Christians across the country will discover the error of replacement theology, and be edified in their own Christian walk.
Today we also pray that our nation will return to the Judeo-Christian roots that shaped the foundations of our country. It is time, so-to-speak, to return to the “mother church” that this nation based its values and its laws on. Not in the sense of religious denomination – but rather the liberty-giving, freedom-loving, Christ-honouring, Bible-centred path that has blessed our country in times past.
May God do a new thing today. And may blessing Israel be at the forefront of our vision for Israel, for Britain, for our churches, and for our families.
