Holy Land, yes it is apt to call it Holy. Although each segment of the population, notably in its chief city of Jerusalem, claims a brand of holiness according to each own perspective. And you have Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Muslims. For the Jews alone, our tour guide humorously tells us that where you have two Jews, you have five different opinions.
Israel is a country of many contradictions and multiple conflicts. However it is a wonderfully fascinating place. It is magical. I believe there is no country in the world as much as exciting as the Holy Land. This place brims with diversity and adversity, in equal measure. Its turbulent history since the time of Abraham is replete with wars- tribal, territorial or otherwise. The wars are not only about a piece of real estate that has more desert, dust, arid patches and stones upon stones. They are waged in the name of religion, of cultural divide, of pride and prejudice, of darkness and blindness of the human heart. From the ancient tribal wars to Babylonian domination, to Hellenistic conquest, to Roman and Crusader to Byzantine empires into Ottoman hegemony then British rule, and into the present-day rift between Jews and Muslims. Frederick Buechner was right in saying people are half in love with their own self destruction. I should add then that human beings must tap consciously to the power of their other half to seek in faith the God of peace and love. In so doing they raise the image they were created to be in the first place.
Today in Israel you have groups of people that reflect different cultures, religion, citizenship, and political institutions. One can be Israeli Arab or Israeli Jew. Another like the Samaritans can have three different passport nationalities. An Israeli Jew can be messianic or non-messianic in faith. An Arab can be Christian and another an Islam-fixated Muslim.
But in all this population make up, there is one central point that diametrically separates the people into two conflicting sides. This is their belief over whoever is Messiah based on each other’s perspective. I said central point because there is one figure that is first among lesser equals. This is the person of Jesus. His birthplace was in a place called House of Bread or Bethlehem. Some accept him as The Messiah and the Son of God. Others do not. The remainder are ambivalent about or outright reject him.
But enough of my opinion there. Let me dwell on my personal account during my ten-day Holy Land journey together with my wife Mary, and bring to mind my interaction with a few remarkable people who I found most interesting and who gave me a fresh olive leaf of hope. Later on, I plan to write about the places we visited where Jesus walked and give my reflections about my individual spiritual discernment.
There is one named Abraham, not sure if this is his name as he was acting the part of the Jewish patriarch when he invited us to the hospitality of his age-old tent in a village in the midst of Judean desert, the Genesis land, so to speak.
Before taking the noon meal his family prepared for us, he talked about idols, material and otherwise, that rule our western lives. In contrast, he narrated the life of the people of his village. I can see thereafter they really live simple and stoic life. It broke my heart when I noticed his worn out sneakers have two or three holes on it, while I have several in my closet that some I have never worn. I considered gifting him one but then paused on the idea because it is a process to do so, apart from the thought of embarrassment to both of us. Then I was comforted with the notion that perhaps it is what he wanted to be, an example for us to do away with idols in our life. An insightful lesson for me that day, aside from the gladness of having a great meal he treated us with and earlier, enjoyably riding his camels!
Another is a Christian young immigrant who volunteers at Nazareth Village. He lives a modest life. He left the U.S to pursue his college degree at St. Petersburg University in Russia. Thereafter he chose to immigrate to Israel to make a difference. Today he volunteers with said nonprofit group teaching the simplicity of living and dependence on God in Jesus time at the replicated Nazareth town.
There is a Palestinian man named Johnny who is a resident of Bethlehem. He helped us see his town and the Shepherd Valley. During our huddle, he spoke of depending on God on a day to day basis. He equated the story of a woman in the Bible who was sought to be helped by a wealthy farmer but refused to be aided, to that of the people of his town today, especially the Christians, who live in total reliance on God’s provision. He said people are losing their livelihood due to conflict around them. Bethlehem is part of the Palestinian autonomous area. Tourist influx has drastically reduced and the town had suffered economically. Christians are the ones that are being hit hard, due in large part to persecution they suffer from their Muslim brothers. They were reduced to minority because of continuing racial and political bigotry. Christian families flee to other towns where there are no relative discrimination. After this man spoke, I discerned the hardship he and his family are experiencing. My group was moved to give him a love gift to help him in a little way.
Then there is a Jewish lady named Irit who grew up in an Orthodox family. She worked in a technology company before as IT manager. But then it seemed all trials, distress and pain met at the junction of her life. She lost her good paying job, she suffered a divorce crisis, and as if that were not enough, she was diagnosed of a debilitating illness. Selflessly concerned about leaving her son early, she wept and wailed intensely to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God responded to her cries. He healed her. She met thereafter her soul mate and remarried. God gave her a marching order to lead people to walk where Jesus walked. This vibrant woman of God never fails to amaze the people she touches through her profound knowledge and love for God and his written word, apart from her fantastic sense of humor. There is no dismal day with her.
The pleasant surprise of all, in my mind, is one who is active in Christian ministry in Johannesburg, South Africa who was part of our tour group together with his lovely wife Abigail. Thurston’s testimony to us on our wrap-up day was a stirring one. His fiery narrative of how the Lord saved him from the dark pit of sin, drug addiction, drug pitching and all the transgressions there was to it, had touched every one of us. Today he is doing active ministry in teaching and supporting his church. His evangelism work and preaching style reminds me of Singapore’s anointed pastor in Joseph Prince. I know he will continue to be ablazed for God as I can see the purity and fire in his heart. A heart like David after his God. Many people shall be saved because of his life’s testimony.
A soft spoken pastor named Abraham comes from the Alliance of Messianic Jews. He gave his lecture to the group about the purpose of the messianic association he heads. His account of the pervasive persecution of the Messianic Jews from within and without was a call to action for Christians abroad to band together and support them in prayer and funding aid. Their group helps Christians in Israel by way of education assistance and putting up business livelihood projects as well as spiritual pastoring and community outreaches.
Lastly, I won’t forget one Muslim brother who I failed to get his name. I purposely interacted with him at the foot of the Dome of the Rock when my group was there. He was giving out conversion-leading booklets titled, “What is Islam”? I saw him as a young man full of enthusiasm about his faith, as I am fervent too of my belief. In that moment I felt compassion for him and all the Muslims that day. I asked him, “Do you allow people, i.e. non-Muslims, to enter your Dome? His answer was indirect when he said, “You people are misled in thinking this Dome is exclusive.” He continued, “There is just a rock inside it. There is no evidence that Mohamed ascended from this place nor walked on this pavement where we stand.“ His reaction surprised me. I thought therefore at that moment that putting this Muslim Dome on top of the torn down Israeli Holy Temple was merely a political statement. That their belief in Islam is superior to that of the Israelis.
All my sour feelings about Muslims built up over the years from TV and newspaper headlines due to atrocities created by only a few violently radical but irrelevant Muslims melted in my heart that day. The young man’s energy and peaceful passion for his religion stirred in me a love for him because he is much like me in fire and belief for my Lord Yeshua. I have wished for him then that someday he will meet the Light of the World, as I did many years back when I was in darkness like him today. Is this not what the Son of God came for? That he sacrificed himself for me, and in fact, for all including this young Muslim. At the foot of what he called Qubbat As-Sakhrah or Dome of the Rock I hoped that Yeshua shall touch his heart one day. And all his Muslim brothers too to do Adeste Fidelis, to come to the Lord and accept his saving grace.
Concluding our tour, there was certainty in my heart that the trip, walking where my Savior walked, gave me and my wife a fresh perspective and more revelation of him. I paraphrase the 23rd psalm: the pilgrimage reassured me that my Lord always makes my cup runs over, and goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and that I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.