When I decided last fall to take a mission trip to Israel, many friends and family questioned why I wanted to go there. Wasn't it dangerous? Aren't you scared? What kind of church brainwashed you into going to Israel? America also needs missionaries!
To be honest there are times when these questions feel valid. Yet my biggest question that I have asked really since I moved to Japan is Why me? What makes me significant enough that God should care for and even call me to His people? Most believers could easily count reasons why they feel unworthy of God's love or really how they failed him. I could probably count 5 times in the last day that I fell short of the glory of God. We can get caught up in our shortcomings and lose sight of God's grace. Yet that is kind of the point.
Moses: This man had a speech impediment (Exodus: 4:10) and killed a man (Exodus 2:11-15)
Jonah: He had to get swallowed by a large fish (Jonah 1:17) in order to actually follow God's call.
David: He commits adultery and has the woman's husband killed to cover it up (2 Samuel 11:5-27
Paul: He was at times the worst of all because he actually persecuted followers of Jesus (Acts 8:3). Yet he wrote some of the most profound books of the Bible when God converted him.
This list can continue on and on but the truth of it is found in what aforementioned Paul says in 2Corinthians 12:9 (that's second Corinthians for Trump fallowers haha) "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
To be honest there are times when these questions feel valid. Yet my biggest question that I have asked really since I moved to Japan is Why me? What makes me significant enough that God should care for and even call me to His people? Most believers could easily count reasons why they feel unworthy of God's love or really how they failed him. I could probably count 5 times in the last day that I fell short of the glory of God. We can get caught up in our shortcomings and lose sight of God's grace. Yet that is kind of the point.
Moses: This man had a speech impediment (Exodus: 4:10) and killed a man (Exodus 2:11-15)
Jonah: He had to get swallowed by a large fish (Jonah 1:17) in order to actually follow God's call.
David: He commits adultery and has the woman's husband killed to cover it up (2 Samuel 11:5-27
Paul: He was at times the worst of all because he actually persecuted followers of Jesus (Acts 8:3). Yet he wrote some of the most profound books of the Bible when God converted him.
This list can continue on and on but the truth of it is found in what aforementioned Paul says in 2Corinthians 12:9 (that's second Corinthians for Trump fallowers haha) "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
These are just a few of the more well know examples found in the same Bible we Christians say we read. The point is we all fall short when comparing ourselves to Christ yet God chooses us in our weakness so that His strength is shown. He doesn't select the high and mighty. He selects the Davids of the world to take on the Goliaths AND WIN. Essentially this should answer the why me question for every single follower of Jesus. It's not our merits but His. Ok Greg's sermon part 1 is over.
PART 2: Why Israel?
Israel is a stew made from the same recipe. We're talking about a nation that is roughly the size of New Jersey. Yet, God calls Israel the"apple of His eye" in Zechariah 2:8. (Anybody every wonder where that phrase came from...mind blown? the Bible is full of great stuff). This is really an in depth question that my friends getting a masters in divinity could do a better job of answering than me. Simply, God chose Israel because His grace and love are magnified by his constant perfecting and pursuit of His people. Ask any teacher you know about that one student who finally did what you asked. An example will pop up right away and the intrinsic value the teacher felt will be unmatched.
If I were to make an Old Testament for Dummies book it would be boiled down to this. God loves His people. Over the course of hundreds of years, these people are constantly on the pendulum of failing and turning away only to be brought back like the story of the prodigal son.
Now let me flash forward for anybody that is still reading my thoughts, essentially I went to Israel because God loves his people. Because God loves me, He had the desire to share this joy for His people with me. One thing I've learned from Jonah is when God calls you don't let it go to voicemail.
So what is this big majestic epiphany that God gave me because I listened and went to His holy land? It's pretty basic but not pumpkin spice latte basic (forgive me if you don't get the pop culture reference). It's a foundation principle basic. Because God loves me as He does you (reminder it's not about me but His love for me for those that skim read the beginning of this post), He wants to share with US his heart and the things He cares about. Picture sharing your favorite dessert with someone you love, it just makes it taste better. God has a love for Israel which is very evident through the Bible and through historical evidence for anybody that believes and reads about the history of Israel.
In going to Israel, God shared His love for Israel with me and also renewed an understanding of the Bible in historical context. I could see and be at places that were Biblical but also empirically evident to those that don't believe. I often tried to look at places I went with atheistic eyes to see what a nonbeliever would see at these places. It's very difficult to connect places without the context of the Bible. Scripture speaks of locations and things that today are being unearthed by archaeologists. If the Bible has valid historical roots, then it must have validity historically.
The other part of my journey was embracing God's Jewish communities and those that believe in Jesus as their savior. Getting a measure of understanding about the difficulty of what Israel calls being a believer in Israel, its truly remarkable to see people following the Messiah. Less than 1% of the country believes in Jesus. Yet, there is a beautiful and inspired heart that in that 1% that I got to meet. I look forward to seeing God's joy work through them as they grow.
**This is the end of part one. I know some people really just wanted to know what I did while in Israel and wanted context to the "pretty pictures" I posted in Israel. But I thought it was important to give the context for the context. Reminder I'm just a random guy who God inspired to search out His faith more deeply in the last 4 years. I understand if many of you scrolled through and thought this guy is crazy or lost touch with reality. I would say "yes" and "Thank you Jesus" to that. But I also pray that you take the time to truly take God, Jesus, the Bible and your faith into your hands truly whether or not you have ever believed. Pray, ask questions, visit more than just the church you grew up with. God appreciates discernment.The person you see on Sunday, can only take your faith so far and that person/church is not infallible. I often feel unsure about the direction God has in my life but am thankful for His compass. Remember God doesn't expect us to be perfect. Our imperfections are made more beautiful by His perfection.
Stayed tuned for my thoughts on the trip!
