Mark 12:13-17, Some Observations about Israeli Life

In Israel we have been informed about current affairs by people who live in the land.  This included conversations with an Arab pastor in the Galilee, an American couple involved in Christian ministry living in Jerusalem, a Palestinian pastor in Bethlehem, an Arab Israeli guide, our guide at the model of the Tabernacle in Timna Park, and comments picked up from locals.  By “informed” I do not mean we have become experts.  By “current affairs” I mean snippets of the status of evangelical Christianity in Israel and of the political situation.  Here are some things we picked up.

·       There are protests in Israel, by Israeli’s, against the new government only recently elected by the people of Israel.  We were in at least 2 situations where we were significantly delayed by protestors blocking traffic (Afula, Jerusalem).

Protests slowed traffic in Jezreel Valley city of Afula

·       The “sides” in politics sound just like the USA: liberal/woke vs. conservative.  Since the government is conservative, the protestors are the progressive side.   The issue sounds the opposite of the USA: the conservative government is seeking to bring change to Israel’s government, placing limits on the powerful judicial branch; the liberals are seeking to keep it the same.

·       The new conservative government was elected in large part by the younger voters in the electorate.  Twice, from a Palestinian businessman and an Arab Israeli, I heard, “Trump was the best thing ever for Israel.”  The Arab Israeli was especially talking about the Trump administration requiring that funds given to the Palestinians be directed to the people.  These limits have been removed and again, money needed by the people is again lining the pockets of the Palestinian leadership and terrorist organizations.

Now I admit, the above I shared just because I know there are people reading this Blog who will be interested in reading it.  But here is the thing I heard from 2 sources who should be trusted: while what I would call “Biblical Christianity” (i.e. not the traditional Catholic/Orthodox/Armenian/Coptic/etc. Christians) is still miniscule in Israel (less than 0.5%) the number among the Jews is increasing more than among the Arab Israeli population.  Resistance from both Jews and Muslims is, of course, strong.  My understanding was that there was more happening on the Muslim front but perhaps that is not the case. 

Having noted this, I will tell you what we observed.  In Tel Aviv at the guesthouse where we stay there is a Messianic group that meets on Friday night (beginning of Shabbat).  That group has clearly grown since we were last there 3 years ago.  The Messianic Church we attended in Jerusalem also seems to be thriving in terms of numbers.  The two churches ministering in strong Muslim areas are joyfully serving Christ but it seems with less numerical increase. 

All this is a prelude to something I want to share in the next post.