Preserving the Story
Jewish people are deeply connected with their land. There isn’t a Jew who isn’t romantically proud and a stubborn advocate of Jerusalem, particularly the “Old City.”
Every person you hear, every story that’s shared is done so with great, passionate detail and with a deep sense of belonging. not mention that every vivid detail of the story captures you and is amazingly inviting.
In fact, as I sat at the dinner table with a orthodox Jewish family during their Shabbat meal, a bunch of Hispanic Americans were invited to share in the whole Shabbat experience. And we weren’t just invited to be “flies on a wall” and observe, we were actually asked to sing the songs, recite the prayers, drink the wine, eat the challah and be enjoined to the unique family traditions. Jonatan, the husband, said,
“being Jewish isn’t merely being born to Jewish parents, but adopting a way of life.”
There is no shortage of life-altering moments while visiting Jerusalem, especially as a person of faith. The city beautifully anchors the Christian in ways that you couldn’t even begin to fabricate back home. From stories of Abraham who shared a meal with Melchizedek at the Kidron Valley to Jeremiah being lowered down a cistern-like hole because he strongly suggested that Israel should surrender to the Babylonians. The Old City helps me to say, “oh yeah! That place actually exists and this actually happened!” It builds trust in God, rather than distrust.
“Our memories of a people cannot be reduced to a memory of their death, but rather the story of their lives.”
That’s what Uri, our incredibly kind and inspiring guide, opened with as he led the time at Yad Veshem — the national holocaust museum. I spent the rest of the night chewing on that statement (and will perhaps chew on it for the rest of the trip). I realized that telling the stories of a people — their values, their loves, their fears, their obstacles (among other things) is incredibly important for their legacy. I realized that winsomely, intentionally and authentically sharing the stories of a people helps preserve them even in the face of their darkest moment.
“Even in darkness there exist a crack where light can shine in.”
Jesus was unequivocally Jewish. And he wasn’t only offering an invitation to sing the songs, recite the prayers, drink the wine, eat the challah and be enjoined to the unique family traditions, but rather Jesus was inviting me; you; us into a cosmic story.
Going back home I’m thinking 3 things:
Tell the whole story.
I cannot share the compelling news of the message of Jesus without pointing to the compelling ways God has dealt with our cousins, the Jewish people. Honestly, coming face to face with the story of Israeli’s has violently reminded me with the unimaginable power and desire of God to restore all people.
Tell the story of my people.
Petr Ginz was 14 when he was transfered to the Warsaw Nazi ghettos where Jews lived in extreme poverty. As you could imagine he and his freinds saw some of the darkest tragedies. But one day he decided to paint pictures, write stories, and even produced a magazine for the other kids. Petr knew that he needed to find a wat to capture hope, strength and imagination for his peers in ways they could engage with.
Back home there are stories not being told, voices going unheard, victories going uncelebrated, and people being set to the margins. Who will tell their story?
Learning is not an achievement, but a way of life.
Visiting Israel has be like reading a pop-up book. All the stories I’ve read, all the sermons I’ve preached have come rushing back to me, but this time with a greater sense of life. With God’s blessing, I am on the uphill of ministry to the world. Visiting Israel has unearthed a life to reading scripture, preaching sermons and serving people that, quite frankly, nothing back home can produce.
