“Seek Yahweh while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to Yahweh, and He will have compassion on him. Turn to our Elohim, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Isaiah 55: 6-7
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A Conversation in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem: A True Story
Katie and I have been exploring Jerusalem for more than 20 years. While we are there, we go to the Old City at least 5 times a week. It’s an easy walk from where we stay in the heart of modern Jerusalem, so many days we go there more than once, in the morning and in the evening.
We love the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Since we go there so often, we have gotten to know several store owners quite well. Every time we are in town, we drop in on them just to say, “Hello.”
Many years ago, we were walking past a jewelry store in the Cardo. It was the main street in Jerusalem during Roman occupation. I noticed a man sitting at a workbench making jewelry. He was the store owner. He and his daughter worked together. He retired a few years ago, and his daughter took over the business.
When I saw him working at his bench, I poked my head in the door and asked him if I could take his picture. He said, “Be my guest.”
I took the picture and said, “Thank you.”
His response surprised me. He said, “Thank you.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Many people stop to take my picture, but very few of them ask for permission.”
That little exchange started a friendship that has lasted for years.
Shortly before the jeweler retired, Katie and I dropped in on him and his daughter. Both of them were making jewelry, but they stopped to take a break when we walked in. One thing led to another, and his daughter started telling us what it was like growing up in the Old City as a child.
Many tourists visiting the Jewish Quarter don’t realize that a couple of thousand people live there full-time. There are schools and playgrounds and grocery stores and everything else that they need. It’s a unique place.
After a while, the daughter changed the subject. She started talking about how many similarities there are between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. She said, “For example, all of us believe in the Messiah.”
I said, “But the Messiah that Jews and Christians believe in is Yahweh.”
She said, “That’s not correct. The Messiah isn’t Yahweh.” From her tone of voice, I could tell that she was positive she was right.
“Do you have a Tanach in your shop?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Get it and turn to Yirmiyahu [Jeremiah] 23: 5-6.”
She got her Tanach and read the verses below:
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live securely. This is His Name by which He will be called, ‘Yahweh Our Righteousness.’”
When she finished reading it, she looked up and said, “The Messiah really is Yahweh.”
“Yes, He is,” I said, “but the Muslim messiah is not.”
Since I was talking with the daughter, I wasn’t watching the father. He was at the other end of the shop. Katie was watching him, though. She told me that when his daughter admitted that the Messiah is Yahweh, her father’s face started beaming. Obviously, he enjoyed watching us interact.
During the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), lots of Jewish people send out cards that are like Christmas cards. Every year since that exchange, Katie and I have gotten a card from the daughter during the High Holy Days. I always look forward to getting it.
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“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me — just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father — and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd. The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.”
John 10: 14-18
