One of the most sobering parts of traveling through Israel is feeling all the tension that exists there because of ongoing conflicts between people. I saw soldiers carrying guns and rifles everywhere I traveled in Israel. As I write this article, Israel has been involved in wars for several years. Visiting Israel reveals that the peaceful unity God wants humanity to enjoy has not yet fully happened in this fallen world.
In the old city of Jerusalem, conflict is especially apparent, since different religions, cultures, and political groups have to share the same few, highly contested square miles. Israel and the surrounding Middle East region experience a heartbreaking amount of conflict. Luke 19:41-44 records Jesus’ sorrow and concern for Jerusalem, both during biblical times and in the future times we’re living in: “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
In Matthew 23:37-39, we can feel Jesus’ grief over how the people he loves don’t listen to him, when he says: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Despite how heartbreaking it is to see conflict in Israel, the painful reality of it can help us appreciate God’s immense patience and grace toward humanity. Seeing the ongoing brokenness of our world up close in Israel shows us how much everyone in our world needs a Savior. Despite thousands of years of human rebellion and hostility, God has not abandoned his creation. Instead, God patiently gives us grace, and we have time to turn away from hatred and grow in holiness. As 2 Peter 3:9 states: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Visiting Israel teaches us that our loving God loves us patiently and gracefully.
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