GlocalNet

Yes, they really exist! I wanted to post a picture, but didn’t want to make their life anymore difficult than it is, already. They love God, they are evangelical, they were born in different parts of Israel and the West Bank, their families have been there for centuries and millenias and they are the most effective representation and the best hope of Jesus Christ in that part of the world today. My meetings with them were beyond incredible. They have suffered rejection, abandonment, and isolation for one simple reason--they were born Palestinians. One leading evangelical who met with them a couple of years back was happy they were Christians but at the conclusion of the meeting told them they needed to move to Jordan or somewhere else. How absurd and utterly ignorant of the Great Commission and God’s call for all peoples.

One of the pastors told me, “We are the only nationality in the history of Christianity where other Christians have told us we should leave and are the obstacle to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Instead, they would rather work with non-believers who have rejected Christ who are not involved in the Great Commission instead of working with us.”

There are some Muslims that have made life difficult for them and there are some Israeli’s that have made life difficult for them. But, the greatest rejection, and most painful of all, has been that of their Christian brothers from the church in the West. It’s not just rejection though, it’s oblivion. Most, in the West, do not realize that there is a growing and emerging church in the West Bank, despite all the thousands of Palestinian Christians that have come West. There are about 3,000 Christians that live in Gaza. Many of them could leave and live here, but they feel called to stay to be witnesses to Christ. Their life is very difficult, but if they leave who will share the light and love of Jesus? I met 8 pastors in Bethlehem. I was impressed with every single one of them. They are educated, effective, and passionate. They are closer to the culture than anyone else. Does Jesus love Palestinians and Jews? Does He want there to be a light and witness whether men accept Him or reject Him? Were there conditions to who could fulfill the Great Commission or was it really the call of all believers?

In Nazareth, I visited with one Palestinian Christian leader who feels God has called the Palestinian Christians to fulfill the Great Commission in the whole of the Middle-East. He told me, who is better situated, connected, and able to speak the Good News of Christ than they are. He’s not just mouthing.  He has actions to back up his talk--and more to come. Wouldn’t it be just like God to use the “least” of the Palestinian Christians to bring peace to the Holy Land with the Messianic Jews!!!!!!!! WOW, these are all the sons of Abraham!  Wouldn’t it be just like Jesus to heal a rift and use the least likely to see the transformation of a nation and part of the world?

These are courageous men of vision who are giving their entire lives that make all our little “missional” discussions look little and goofy. One of the most exciting things of all I saw was a Palestinian pastor speaking at a Messianic congregation. The two pastors embraced and have become very close friends. They don’t agree on everything--BUT, they do agree that they are brothers in Christ and must respect each other--enough that they share pulpits and work together. I’m convinced the greatest hope for Peace in Jerusalem and Israel and the West Bank is going to come from Christians who live there, who are reconciled to each other and are providing an example and model of how they live together. If Christian brothers from both sides are willing to work together there why shouldn’t we?

Bethlehem Bible College also blew me away. I saw the future church of the Holy Land and the Middle East and was excited. These young men and women love God, are filled with passion, and are smart and gifted. Of all the church planters and young leaders I know in the US, they stand head-to-head and shoulder-to-shoulder to the very best here in the West--if not even taller! The reason is, not only are they smart and gifted, but they choose to stay and live in difficult circumstances which has a massive impact on character and maturity. This is why Jesus says the first will be last and the last first. Their names will not be as well known as some here in the West, but the sacrifice and effectiveness goes beyond anything we know here. You can legally start churches in the Palestinian territories, which has been done, and many of these are being trained to do just that. They also get engagement, whether it’s reconciliation exercises they are involved in, or serving the poor--you name it. Here in the US, I’m always told, “when our church gets bigger and we have more money then we’ll start churches and start engaging.” I’m glad they don’t talk that way or believe that--they wouldn’t be doing all the things they’re doing now. BTW one of the churches has sent a “missionary” to America!!!!!! He happened to be “home” the Sunday I spoke at one of the churches and he was there.

I always talk about lessons from the church in the East--this is where we, in the West, have it really wrong--our failure to recognize and connect deeply with believers in the West Bank. We’re still trying to drive foreign policy through speculative theology. I don’t know how Jesus will return; I do know He’s called all of us to share the good news of who He is and to serve others. I don’t know when He will return; I do know what He’s called all of us to do until He comes. We have traded the Great Commission for the sake of an eschatological foreign policy. Jesus told Peter to put down his sword--He put the ear back on the soldier. He is about an eternal kingdom. He will come at the behest of the father, not the contrivings of religious power brokers trying to play global politics.

We must support Israel. They are a nation of people that will be represented in eternity for whom Christ died. But we must also support the Palestinians, a nation of people that will be represented in eternity for whom Christ died. Anything less is a rejection of what God has called all believers to do. They want reconciliation--shouldn’t we? Does the Kingdom of God flourish and transform the world by love and reconciliation, or by hatred and power politics? Easy answer--look at the cross . . .