Why forgiveness, not outrage, should define the response to an IDF soldier’s desecration of Jesus statute

Last week, All Israel News reported on an Israeli soldier filmed smashing a statue of Jesus in Lebanon. It was a sad report to bring to the citizens of Israel and the world. This soldier let himself down, let his family down, and let his country down in this despicable act.

I think the worst thing about this is not what he actually did, but the fact that he gave Israel's enemies something to shout about. This story will be weaponized and spread around the world: “Look at those who murdered Jesus. They hate us and they still hate Jesus.” The Israeli soldier gave Israel’s enemies a weapon of hate.

The story was widely reported by the BBC, Reuters, NBC, El País, reaching all around the world. Perhaps the only place that didn’t hear about it is the dark side of the moon.

When Israel has so many enemies who make up false claims, why provide them with something that is disgraceful and true? I imagine Tucker Carlson was rubbing his hands when he saw this.

But the story is finished and over now, so we should forgive the soldier who desecrated the statue of Jesus. As a Christian community, we say, “We forgive you. We forgive you and we love you, and we pour out God’s blessing on your life.” That is what Jesus would do, and that is what God commands us to do.

Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”

I think that this soldier fits into this category, and we want to tell him that we love him and forgive him.

Everybody does foolish things in life. We all do things we regret, so we shouldn’t judge another person who does the same.

The two soldiers—the one who smashed the statue and the one who filmed it—have both gone to prison for 30 days, and rightly so. This sends a strong message from the IDF that such behavior will not be tolerated. The prime minister also condemned these actions. They have now been condemned, humiliated, and punished. They are paying for their crime. I am sure that now that it has gone all around the world, they regret what they did. Israel has made restitution by replacing the statue that was smashed. Everything that needed to be done to put this right has been done, so now it is time to forgive and forget.

What this Israeli soldier did reflects the Gospel. He sinned, he acted foolishly, and he is paying the price for his actions. But there is forgiveness at the end of the day.

In the Bible, they brought a woman caught in adultery. She had sinned greatly, but Jesus said that he who is without sin may throw the first stone. No one could throw that stone at the woman, and no one can throw a stone at the Israeli soldier, because we are all guilty of sin.

“When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?'

She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'” John 8 v 10-11.

The soldier smashed the statue of Jesus but Jesus would say, “I don't condemn you, GO and sin no more.”

Let us all act like Jesus today, let's show love and mercy today.