Folks, as we pause on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, marking the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, our hearts turn to one of the darkest chapters in human history. The Shoah, the Holocaust, saw six million Jewish people, God's chosen nation, systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators between 1941 and 1945. Two-thirds of Europe's Jews were wiped out in gas chambers, mass shootings, starvation, and forced labour. It was evil unleashed, hatred against the people through whom the Messiah came (Romans 9:4-5).
One of the cruel marks of that horror was the yellow badge, the Jewish star patch. The Nazis forced Jews to wear it sewn on their clothes, a bright yellow Star of David to single them out to bring scorn, segregation, and death. It wasn't just cloth; it was a symbol of dehumanisation, a badge of shame meant to isolate and destroy. Yet God preserved a remnant, as He always does.
Now consider a more recent symbol of the yellow ribbon, or lapel pin, it has been worn worldwide after October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 and abducting 251 hostages, men, women, children, and the elderly. That yellow ribbon became a sign of hope, a prayer to "Bring them home!" For over two years, more than 843 days, families and believers wore it, tied it to trees, pinned it to shirts, crying out to God for deliverance.
Then, in January 2026, the chapter closed. The remains of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili, the last hostage body held in Gaza, were recovered and returned to Israel on January 26. A brave 24-year-old officer who ran to defend his people despite being on medical leave, Ran was killed in battle, his body taken captive. With his return for burial, all hostages, those released alive in the ceasefire phases and the deceased, were home at last. Many removed their yellow ribbons, some keeping them as memorials, but the daily wait ended.
What a contrast! The yellow badge was forced upon Jews in hatred, pointing to death. The yellow ribbon was worn willingly in love and hope, pointing to life and return. Both speak of the enemy's rage against God's people, from Pharaoh to Haman, Hitler to Hamas. But Scripture declares God's unbreakable promises.
Think of 1948. When Israel was reborn as a nation on May 14, many of us saw it as a fulfilment of prophecy, the beginning of the regathering. Ezekiel 36:24 says, "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." The dry bones of Ezekiel 37 came alive: first physical restoration in unbelief, then spiritual awakening to come. It's a super sign of the times! We're living in the days when the fig tree is budding (Matthew 24:32-33), signalling the Lord's soon return.
Yet the borders today are not the full land God promised Abraham, from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates (Genesis 15:18). David and Solomon touched much of it, but the complete possession awaits the Kingdom, when the Messiah reigns from Jerusalem (Ezekiel 47-48; Zechariah 14).
In the meantime, persecution continues. Antisemitism rises again, record incidents in the UK and elsewhere, attacks on synagogues, hatred disguised as politics. It grieves us, as it grieved Paul: "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart... for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Romans 9:2-3). His prayer? "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" (Romans 10:1).
That's our call too. True love for the Jewish people isn't just standing in solidarity against hate, though we must; it's sharing the Gospel. "To the Jew first" (Romans 1:16). Blindness in part has happened until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, "and so all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:25-26). One day they will look on Him whom they pierced and mourn (Zechariah 12:10), receiving their Messiah, Yeshua.
So don't grow weary. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Support ministries that are reaching Jewish hearts, liken SO BE IT. Share Jesus gently, in love, He's the only way (John 14:6). The yellow ribbon may be set aside, but God's promises stand forever (Romans 11:29).
Let me pray with you: Father, comfort those mourning the Shoah's millions and recent losses like Ran Gvili. Protect Your chosen people from every form of hatred. Open blind eyes to see Jesus as Messiah. Hasten the day of their national salvation. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Peter
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