Jerusalem… Oh, Jerusalem…
I have been in Israel playing music at a festival here in Jerusalem for the past week. I have been waiting for an epiphany to happen in which I feel about this city how all of the contemporary religious world does. Instead, I find myself saddened as Christ was when he said, “Jerusalem, how I have longed to gather you as a mother it’s children…”(loose translation). Jerusalem only makes sense to me in brokenness.
There are few authentic places still standing relevant to a Judao-christian faith and the ones that are have mosques built on them. You do feel a bit like a mother here visiting her son’s grave – only to find that it has been moved and you don’t know where it is. The frenzy of the crowds and their devotion to mary, jesus, mohammed is underscored by this uncertainty – you can see it behind the eyes of every pilgrim. The concrete that we all desire is not found in Jerusalem.
It seems like God, though. It is God. The contradiction of religion vs. love – I see it everywhere. The Jewish people are only interested in each other and it is a minor miracle if one speaks to you. They also live in the only posh side of town and given what I have seen on the west bank this is inexcusable. The Muslim population is just as reserved and does not allow any outsiders into their holy places. The Arab population has lived for centuries in this see-saw of power between the two strongmen and are ambivalent about any type of religion and consequently ‘right and wrong’ have no value to them.
I think that we have a chance to see into the future with Israel. A post apocalyptic view of what life could be like without so many of the things we in the western world have. I seriously was walking around the other day and felt like I was in a ‘mad max’ film. I have realized my own brokenness as I have been a visitor to the broken. I do feel like I have developed a compassion towards this city. I am not the one that will come back and be assimilated into the culture. I am the one that will pray that this city will go beyond its current state. I will pray for its healing – and be healed myself.
sue said,
June 11, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Mark,
Interesting observations. I do feel a deep sense of grief about the state of affairs in that land. So many have been hurt and continue to hurt, on both sides. Even Christians, sincere Christians, will espouse hatred toward Arabs, even if they are also Christian. Many don’t even know that approximately 40% of Palestinians claim to be Christians.
So many in the church, here and abroad, hate the Muslim and see them as our enemies. Instead of seeing a spiritual battle for a spiritual kingdom, many want to make the battle one of flesh and blood and about human kingdoms, like the US and the political state of Israel. God loves the Muslims and wants them to experience His love. When the church treats them with hatred and fears them, it further disenfranchises them. In my opinion, the terrorists have won the battle. Fear of foreigners, especially the Arab Muslim, the Mexican, etc., has made this country an island, living behind a wall. No longer do we welcome the alien and give him hospitality, but we shun anyone, even innocent tourists, from this country. The border police treat visitors horribly with the blessing of the government.
How I long for the church to love the Muslim and especially the Palestinian, to go beyond her walls and love them to life!!
Please blog more often. I really like to read your views and insights on things.
Andrew Stein said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Mark,
I read this commentary through wet eyes, merely because I cannot read something about Israel without tears, and I think somehow that’s the way it should be. I know old testament commands are to mourn, as well as to pray.
You said it right, the concrete is not there, but the dirt is. Ask Dean Stein about that one.
I’m grateful you went. Generally, we have seen this city, most amazing and utterly heart-breaking, through the eyes of some super-liberal writer at the NY Times or by Christian misconceptions about our roots and what they mean now (That’s a thick topic so I’ll avoid it). I went last year. Since then I have returned to the States, moved to Argentina, been married and am now expecting a child; and yet, I’m not the same, I haven’t forgotten.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey. My recommendation is to not let your heart be healed for this land while the land remains torn.
Jared said,
June 20, 2008 at 2:32 am
Hey I just found this blog and its pretty incredible, long story or many stories short, your music means alot to me, and it is really encouraging to see that you have a blog. sorry i’m posting without having read anything yet, but i really look forward to reading. just wanted to let you know. thanks.