For many Western Christians, Israel holds a unique and almost sacred place in their worldview. Sermons, conferences, and Christian media often highlight Israel’s role in biblical prophecy, the return of Christ, and even modern geopolitics. But what if this intense focus on Israel is actually doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to ministry in the broader Middle East?
The Risk of Overshadowing the Gospel
When Western Christians engage with the Middle East, they often do so with Israel as the central focus. But this approach risks overshadowing the gospel itself. Many believers are more passionate about defending the political state of Israel than they are about bringing the hope of Christ to the millions of Muslims, Arabs, and others in the region who have never heard the good news.
Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) calls us to make disciples of all nations—not just one. When Christians become hyper-focused on Israel, they may neglect their calling to minister to the rest of the Middle East. This narrow perspective can unintentionally create barriers to gospel work among Muslims and Arabs who may see Christianity as merely a pro-Israel political movement rather than a message of salvation for all people.
Political Allegiances Can Hinder the Mission
Christian Zionism—the belief that unwavering support for Israel is a biblical mandate—often comes with strong political views. While believers should care about justice and biblical prophecy, political entanglements can become a major stumbling block in reaching Muslims for Christ.
Many Muslims view Western Christianity as synonymous with Western political agendas. When they see Christians loudly advocating for Israel while seemingly ignoring the suffering of Palestinians and other marginalized groups, it reinforces the belief that Christianity is not for them. This perception shuts doors for ministry, making it more difficult for missionaries and local believers to build bridges of trust.
The gospel calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). If our focus is primarily political rather than spiritual, we risk losing the credibility needed to share Christ’s love with all people, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity.
A Biblical Perspective: God’s Heart for All Nations
The Bible makes it clear that God’s plan includes all nations. While Israel has a unique role in biblical history, God’s heart is not limited to one ethnic group. In Galatians 3:28, Paul reminds us that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus Himself ministered to both Jews and Gentiles. The early church embraced people from every background, breaking down divisions rather than reinforcing them. If we are truly following Jesus’ model, we should be just as passionate about reaching Arabs, Kurds, Persians, and others as we are about supporting Israel.
Practical Steps for a More Balanced Approach
- Expand Your View of the Middle East – Learn about the broader region, including its diverse peoples and cultures. Seek to understand the struggles and spiritual hunger that exist outside of Israel.
- Prioritize the Gospel Over Politics – While political opinions are inevitable, make sure they do not overshadow the mission of Christ. If a political stance hinders your ability to share the gospel, it may be worth re-evaluating.
- Pray for All Nations – Don’t just pray for Israel—pray for Palestinians, Iranians, Syrians, Egyptians, and others. God desires to reach them all.
- Support Indigenous Ministries – Instead of only backing organizations focused on Israel, consider supporting Middle Eastern believers who are sharing the gospel in their own communities.
- Be a Peacemaker – Follow Jesus’ example by seeking reconciliation and demonstrating love to all people, regardless of nationality.
Conclusion: Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing
Loving Israel does not mean neglecting the rest of the Middle East. As followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to His kingdom, not any one nation. If our focus on Israel blinds us to the needs of others in the region, we have lost sight of the gospel’s universal call.
Let’s keep the main thing the main thing—sharing the love of Christ with all people, without partiality. The Middle East is waiting for the good news, and it’s our job to bring it to them, free from political entanglements and full of Christ’s love.
The Basin and Towel 