"I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves." (Zech 12:2-3)
I might be quoting out of context, but I can assure you that the world is still swooped up in an attempt to drink every last drop of this "intoxicating" city! We've recently had the privilege of walking its streets and meeting its people, and I've listened to every group's claim on the land on which it is built - and believe me when I say that there is meaning and worth in every stone of Jerusalem. Muslim, Jew and Christian (and others) have been fighting over this 'Holy City' for centuries. Layer by layer the one has built upon the other as they conquered and lost control, time and time again. And if you walk in the shadows of these historic treasures, you'll understand why.
Of course, we declare that our worth is not found in the physical place, but in relationship with our Lord and Saviour - that, however, is not the case for everyone coming to these ancient walls. The city and its "Holy Sites" have become a sort of 'driving force' to many. Thousands and thousands stream in to kneel and pray to various idols or stones... or to face the Western Wall where Solomon's Temple once stood upon the Temple Mount (where now the Dome of the Rock shines 'brightly').
I too have waited a long time for the opportunity to visit this remarkable place, but more specifically in order to engage in conversation with the residents of the city - and I'm thankful for every moment God gave me! But if I were to start sharing on our encounters with the Jewish faith (or even the Muslim's), I'd have to write a book. Therefore, this brief message will rather be aimed at the current situation from a Christian viewpoint.
Firstly, it is unfortunate to have to admit that the term "Christian," in these parts, has been altered into something completely different from what we stand for. I believe that this plays a massive role in why our relationship with the Jewish believer is so uneasy at the moment (generally speaking). It breaks my heart when I look around and see how our faith has been dismantled by religious forgery. "Christianity" is depicted in the most holy of sites as a mixture of various beliefs that were thrown together in order to keep the power which the church strived for years ago. The ornamentation, sculptures, paintings and symbols are poluted by influences that are far removed from the truth. What's left of a God-fearing relationship with Him - and not the idols that have taken His place - is scarce to find. Therefore, I cannot blame the Jew for not wanting to listen to the so-called 'Christian' teachings (or reason). And this isn't only a problem between the two beliefs, but within various Christian denominations themselves. But to fully understand what each church truly believes in, will require extensive research.
What we DO believe in, is Jesus Christ and following in His way and truth. So when I refer to "walking in His footsteps," I am not merely referring to the streets He grew up in, but more importantly, the lifestyle that He lived!
It is, however, my opinion that, in order to better understand His actions, one has to come to terms with the context in which He moved. Therefore I whole-heartedly celebrate the spectacular experience of being able to go to where He was born in Bethlehem, and to walk the road that He (supposedly) carried His cross to Golgotha; to see where He prayed in Getsemane, or where He spoke to the masses on the mount of Olives. Even just taking a moment at the various sites where He healed the sick made a definite impact on my heart. Not because I was on the exact spot (good luck doing that), but because it made so much more sense when placed in the right context.
- The Bible truly comes alive with every step you take!
But visiting the physical sites merely became the start of a NEW understanding of the Scriptures. Since then, it's become a journey of allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what is true and what is not (referring to the opinions of man). One by one He is colouring in the words that had previously seemed 'lifeless' - and from this new vantage point, He has shown me so MUCH about the detail in which He wrote every sentence.
1 John 2:27 depics the Holy Spirit (or "anointing" in other translations) as our teacher, who has been given to us, to be within us. What He teaches is true and not counterfeit; therefore being the only real teacher that we need (instead of being led astray by others). This scripture has revealed the essence of making Him my only teacher; and whilst the teachings and knowledge of other Godly men and women are of great worth, one cannot rely on human knowledge to replace Him. Learning how to allow Him to disect the Word for me before grabbing at what others have thought true, has changed my quiet time for good... And I am so grateful for it!
With this in mind, I also have to say that, although Jerusalem has shown many heartbreaking scenes (with regards to what is depicted as Christianity), I cannot deny that its mysterious beauty has captured my full attention! There were moments of utter beauty that are now carved out in my heart. Moments like sitting on the old city wall until evening became morning whilst listening to the prayers at the Western Wall sound through the night; or taking 5 minutes to sit in dead silence where my Saviour was brutally flogged; or having a conversation with a Jew who found Jesus and has devoted his life to sharing the Gospel to his own people. How will I be able to describe what God has done within me during this time?
Now, still, it is as if every time I pick up the Bible, He answers one of the conversations He put me in. Every sentence has become an in-depth explanation to who He is and what He came to fulfill. I desperately desire more of His understanding, but then again, I trust in His timing too.
So I left Israel with a joyous heart, but with a definite longing to return soon...
I can only pray that our Teacher will unveil more of His Truth in the days to come, and by His Will alone, define where I stand within His plan.