The deal is bad. Very bad. But let’s not panic. Here’s why. (Some thoughts on the Iran deal, Passover & Easter.)

(Central Israel) — On Thursday evening, rather than pore over the details of the deal that the P5+1 just struck with Iran regarding its nuclear program, I took one of my sons to a wonderful Passover Seder attended by Jewish and non-Jewish friends in Kfar Shmaryahu, a suburb of Tel Aviv. Tonight, our entire family is looking forward to attending a Seder with Jewish and Arab friends near Netanya.

Please forgive me, therefore, for not writing sooner about the deal.

A few brief observations for now:

• First, some context:
  • Earlier this week, a top Iranian militia leader said the destruction of Israel was “non-negotiable.”
  • Just last month, Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, called for “Death to America.”
• Second, the deal itself:
  • The Government of Israel says the results of the agreement “would threaten the survival of Israel” since it would put Iran on the legal path to The Bomb.
  • Democrats and Republicans and Middle East experts of all stripes are warning the Iranians are not to be trusted and the and far too many dangerous concessions are being made.
  • Even the liberal Washington Post editorial board, generally good friends and strong supporters of the President, are stunned by the magnitude of the concessions and note in a new editorial, “Obama’s Iran deal falls far short of his own goals.”

So yes, the deal is bad. Very bad. But let’s not panic. After all, is it not curious that the deal was announced on the eve of Passover and Easter?

• The Biblical story of Passover reminds us that there is a sovereign, holy, all-seeing, all-mighty God who loves Israel, and will protect His people, even knowing our weaknesses, sins and flaws.
• The Scriptural account of Passover reminds us that God vows to bring judgment on nations who seek to curse and destroy Israel and the Jewish people, and do not repent.
• Passover also tells us that God will protect anyone and everyone from divine judgment — not just Jews — if they place their faith in the blood of the perfect lamb.
• What’s more, the Biblical story of Easter — the death and resurrection of Jesus our Messiah, our Passover lamb — teaches us that God loves the whole world, both Jews and Gentiles.
• The Biblical account of Easter teaches us that God doesn’t want His judgment to fall on anyone. Rather, the Lord God Almighty offers salvation, forgiveness, great hope and eternal life to all who will repent and receive Jesus as Messiah, Savior and Lord.

We certainly need to pray for our leaders and for the peace of Jerusalem at this critical time. We need to pray this deal is changed and cannot put Iran on the legal path to nuclear weapons.

That said, this is not a season to fear our enemies. It is a season to draw close to the Lord, read His Word, and discover (or rediscover) His love for all people.

• May I encourage you to watch with your family some of the Biblical movies that tell these powerful stories, like Prince of Egypt and/or The 10 Commandments, as well as the JESUS film and/or The Passion of the Christ?
• Even better, may I encourage you to read the Biblical account of the Passover found in the book of Exodus? (click here to read it online)
• And one of the Gospel accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (Yeshua) of Nazareth? (click here to read the Gospel of John, for example)
• If you would also like to listen to an audio account of how my parents and I became followers of Jesus Christ, please click here.