(We had another lengthy visit with our friend in this story on Wednesday in Jerusalem. This was the second visit since he received Yeshua as His Lord and Savior in October. He is currently in a Masters program at one one of Israel’s top universities. But his real hunger and passion is to know Yeshua more intimately. We will continue to disciple him. Please pray for Ori.)
Talking with the Israelis, I say, “Ask God to reveal His Son to you. He will not deny you the answer. Take strength to ask, then have the courage to accept the answer.” The looks in their eyes are those of desire to believe, and the response is, “I will.”
Walking into a grocery store last October in Jerusalem, I said this to a young Israeli man of 29 years of age.
I asked him, “How are you?” He hesitantly responded, “I am fine.” I looked at him and smiled and said, “Everyone in America says that they are fine, but no one is fine.” He angrily said, “And no one cares if they are or not!” I told him, “You are probably right, but let me tell you about the ONE who does care!” His name is Yeshua. He is the Son of the God of Israel and He loves you!”
At that time, customers were beginning to come near us. I walked out of store. My thoughts were on our conversation.
A couple of days later, I went to the store again. The young man saw me coming toward him and said, “You came here to save us!” As I approached the counter I said, “Don’t be silly, I cannot do such a thing. Only God has the power to do this.” Again he said, “You came here to save us! I am serious.” Rabbis and Orthodox Jewish men stood at the counter listening. He then said, “I believe! I believe! He took a Kleenex and wiped the tears from his eyes.” I gave him a New Testament. He said he would read it.
I invited him to come visit my husband and me. He came. He shared that he has two degrees and is working on a third. He was in agony due to the culture in Israel, even though he was born and raised in it. I went over more Scripture and asked him to pray with me. He said that he had to have assurance. I said that he had to confess his belief in Yeshua, and then he would have assurance. He said, “O.K.” We prayed, and he received and believed in Yeshua and surrendered his life to Him. Afterward, all was still and quiet. The Holy Spirit’s presence was with us, so gently giving him assurance in the One in whom he now believed. When he could speak again, he said, “This is the first time that I have ever believed in anything. My mind is relieved. I don’t have that agony.”
My husband and I walked into the store later that week. Unexpectedly, he was there again. He gave us both a huge loving hug. He said, “I feel so good and right (he held his hand to his heart). The thing in my mind is gone. I am sincere. I have been telling everyone. I believe — this is for sure!” He had peace and was full of joy! His life and the whole place was filled with The Light!
Who does one see when we, the children of the Living God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, approach the darkness in a life with His Light? It is the presence of the Son of the God of Israel, His Messiah, Yeshua, who came to Jerusalem to save the lost sheep of Israel.
“Abba, Father, you have sent us to the lost sheep of Israel to reveal your Son to them by the power of your Holy Spirit. We are Your children by faith in Your Christ. We bear witness of The Light in the land that You have chosen to place Your Name. You who draw man to Yourself, Messiah, in this one Your own, You have shown Your glory. You have sealed us with Your Holy Spirit. Your righteousness has been revealed. You have not tarried with Your salvation for the one who was in agony. He knows You as his peace and assurance through Your work of righteousness. We glory in Your Name in which there is the power to save.”
Matthew 15:24: “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 10:6: “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Isaiah 32:17: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”
John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Acts 10:36: “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).”
Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 1:13: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”
Luke 2:32: “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Isaiah 46:13: “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”