So, I don't really know how to say this but...I don't want to go back to the States. At least not yet. This trip has been absolutely amazing and I've had so much revealed to me that I don't want it to end I guess. Even the fact that I missed the first two days of touring didn't change the outcome of things for me. In fact, I really believe it made it better for me. I gained a much deeper appreciation for being here in Israel and a much deeper understanding of what the scriptures actually would have been saying since they are written within the Jewish mindset. Today I had completely free and was able to visit the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem which by far the best museum in remembrance of that terrible tragedy. It was an extremely moving experience to see how much pain and suffering was endured by these people and helped shed some light into the feelings of Jews in todays world. I cannot imagine how to deal with something like this, and from my perspective I wonder how they could be restored.
This is not the answer they want to hear but I just see such a need for Jesus among this broken people. It hurts me to think about how Jesus' own people don't share in His healing. They have been through so much and I think what is needed is much more sympathy and love towards them. I know we have our stereotypes of Jewish people being no more than rich mongers who want to rip you off and keep everything for themselves. That is not the heart of the Jewish people though. I've seen a people who is deeply devoted to God which is the same God that we serve! They refer to them in such glowing terms as their "Beloved." One Orthodox Jew who I have been able to speak with on a couple of occasions told me about how Christians always think Jews are legalistic and are so caught up in the Law when in reality they love keep the Law that was given to them by their Beloved. It invokes images of Psalm 1 where it says: "For his delight is in the Law of the Lord and on His Law he meditates day and night." I nearly started crying writing that just now. It is so moving to me to have seen the true heart of a people who loves their God passionately. But it hurts and breaks my heart to see them still waiting for the Messiah to come and save them when He has already come.
However, God loves His people, it is so apparent to me here in this place. And so I would encourage everyone, whether you know a practicing Jew or not, to take special care to reach out to them with the love of God. As Christ came and loved us so we should love others, especially His own people.
And so with my heart broken for a people and not really wanting to go home I must say I am not ready for this. I'm not quite ready to leave because I still think God has more to teach me here. So I know I will return because there are many things that are yet to be done.
So thanks everyone for following this blog on my tour of Israel. Be assured it will not be my last time here. We leave 1am local time from the hotel to head towards Tel Aviv and be on our way to Istanbul at 6 am. After a 2 hour flight and a short lay over we will be headed back on the 10 hour flight to JFK and New York City. Be at peace, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Shalom,
-AM
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