3 World Religions + 1 City = Street Party!
Pastor Shmuel A. leads a congregation of Jewish believers in
the north of Israel. At first
appearance, this is not particularly startling or even attention grabbing. But if we add that Shmuel A. is the only known Arab
Pastor of a Jewish congregation in the world, then perhaps this is more than worth our mention.
An Israeli Arab pastoring Israeli Jews? But they hate each other don’t they? They are constantly at war or fighting with
one another according to what the media tells us aren't they? Apparently not! In fact, a whole lot more is going on between
Jewish and Arab Israelis that has nothing to do with hate or fighting or
oppression or persecution than the news or even half our churches would have us
believe.
Last December was a festive month in Israel as three major
celebrations took place, one for each of three major world religions. The Muslim festival of Eid, the Jewish
celebration of Hanukkah, and the Christian holiday of Christmas. In Haifa, the city transforms itself for a
month long festival called ‘The Holiday of Holidays’, shutting off roads,
putting up stalls and planning shows.
People come from all across the city and also from around the country
for the celebration and cultural events.
There is dancing, artisans selling their crafts, local food, and a
joyful atmosphere among the large crowds.
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| Large crowds attend the month long festival |
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| Local cuisine - making falafel balls |
While some might express concern at these faiths all
converging in one place, the locals do not,
and even more so the local believers.
Why? Because this month long street
party provides the perfect opportunity to share the gospel of Yeshua, the good
news that He came for all mankind, all people groups, to bring eternal hope and
life. Jewish and Arab believers meet at
the festival each year, and together share
their faith, in unity as the ‘one new man’, as it says in Ephesians 2, that the
Messiah broke down the hostility between Jew and non-Jew, even bringing us
together in Himself to make one new man from the two and thus creating peace!
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| Arab Pastor Edward Tannous and Jewish Pastor Avi Mizrachi |
This last Festival was no exception as Arab and Jewish
Congregations joined forces for “There is Hope” campaign. Shirts were printed with the logo in Hebrew
and Arabic, books and bibles were handed out, they worshipped together, gave
out coffee, and shared their common faith with all who were interested. Some expressed shock that an Arab and a
Jewish person believed in the same God.
Muslim women took bibles, father’s took books for their children to
read, people left their contact details so they could talk more later.
Please remember to pray regularly for the Jewish and Arab
believers in Israel. They are working
together to share the gospel with their communities, reaching out with God’s
love to their cities, making every effort to be living examples of ‘brothers living together in unity’, of loving
each other so that the world will know they are disciples of Yeshua. Just like their shirts declare, there is
hope!