The time is winding down here in Jerusalem as today is the final day of the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles celebration. The theme has been from Zechariah 12:10 “the spirit of grace and supplication.” In my life this has been the theme of the past year. God poured out His grace and listened to my supplications for healing and restoration. Israel and the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles seem to represent the glory of God and the power of His promises to me. A new joy has come over my lifes truly the greater cost?
Yesterday evening I was blessed to be invited by our tour leader, Michael Hines, to accompany him to address another Israel tour group from Crosswalk Church located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Pastor Mark, his wife Pam, and the tour group were gracious hosts and welcomed Michael and me as if we were family. In evidence of just how small our world can be, I met two people who had lived in the same small town of Crossville, Tennessee where I was raised. This was a special reminder of how God directs our paths and connects His people in fellowship. Michael’s message was about the role of the Jewish people and the conflict that resonates in the nation. A conflict that is not political, but spiritual in nature -- Israel’s response to Jesus as Messiah.
In my short time in Israel I have admired the scenery, the food, and the people, but something continually nagged at me from the first night I spent in Jerusalem on the eve of Yom Kippur. That night, after reflecting on my first two days in the country, it came to me. What I saw was that the people seem to lack joy in their lives – that joy that comes from knowing the hope of having a Savior. Understandably the cultural, political, and spiritual conflicts weigh heavily on the Jewish people – but what I saw was something much deeper. Israelis use the word “sabra” or prickly pear to describe themselves. A “sabra” is tough and prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside. I was soon to see some of that sweetness.
After Michael’s message, the group invited us to join them down at Ben Yehuda Street. Oh what a blessing this was!! The street is the heart of city life with lovely cafes and shops lining the district. The streets were bustling with Orthodox Jews enjoying music and dancing in celebration of the holiday of Succot. The people greeted us with shouts of “Chag Sameach” --Happy Holidays! Jewish men dressed in typical orthodox attire and sporting long beards were dancing in the street and they happily invited us Gentiles to join hands with them and participate. It was an experience of a lifetime and one I will never forget. I saw a joy in these men’s faces as we danced and celebrated. After dancing, it was brought to my attention that the song we were all dancing to was about “Mashiach”, or Messiah, in Hebrew.
What about that? A song about Messiah brought joy to the faces and hearts of the Jewish people. The irony was that they were dancing with men who know the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It amazed me that that just the thought of Messiah brought such joy to them – the joy that I noticed they were lacking.
Through Christ we find joy and peace despite a world in conflict. I pray for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people to recognize Christ as Messiah and experience a new joy in their lives. As I can attest, peace and joy do exist in the presence of conflict and heartache, but the only way is through a deep, personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jeremy Carney is guest blogging for the ICEJ as a member of this year's tour to the Feast of Tabernacles. Contact us about joining us for next year's Feast! »
