The Truth About My Headline-Making Trip to Israel

While at a northern Israeli kibbutz, I learned of media criticism about my headline-making trip in Israel. It seems that those vilifying it are misinformed.

I’ve been traveling with people who represent many faiths, ethnicities, ages, and even have friends and relatives whose lifestyles and/or political beliefs are quite different from each other. We witnessed first-hand the reality of Israeli daily life hearing and seeing explosions. I was able to capture on film an explosion on the Israeli-Syrian border from Mt. Bental, Golan Heights:

Imagine the state of New Jersey, approximately the same size in square miles as Israel, under constant threat of attack by all of North America. Next, imagine not only being blamed for being attacked but also having no one come to New Jersey’s aid.

While on Mt. Bental, Golan Heights, Israel, we heard gunfire and saw an explosion while United Nations personnel looked on. As recent as six months ago skirmishes with Al Qaeda occurred even closer, spilling over the Syrian border. It was immediately obvious to us that peace is not only fragile but can be lost at any moment.

Just a few short miles northwest we passed the Israeli town of Rajar, along the Israel-Lebanon border, where two IDF soldiers were killed last week. Allegedly following Iranian military orders, Hezbollah launched a Russian anti-tank missile from Lebanon easily reaching Israeli soil.

Contrast that with our journey to the Galillean hills of Capernum where Jesus peacefully fed and taught 5,000 people.

The Galilean hillside of Capernum where it is believed that Jesus fed the 5,000.

A patchwork of vibrant colors paint the ancient volcanic hillside demarcating green wheat fields from rows of mango, avocado, olive, banana, and apple trees. In Capernum, which means “place of comfort,” laborers, farmers, and fishermen left their work for a few hours to hear Jesus speak. Knowing his listeners were oppressed by the Romans, Jesus offered them comfort and hope. Many on the trip heard from pastors, who like Jesus, encouraged them to be salt and light in their communities, including actively participating in politics and government.

Israel, where Jesus lived and taught, is the birthplace of Christianity. And its land is rich with historical evidence of how God’s people ruled and/or interacted with rulers. From Solomon teaching wisdom, to David defending Israel, to Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, faith and politics were always interrelated.

It’s important to note the twofold Biblical teaching about government’s purpose. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob created the world and everything in it. Within this context, government was created to restrain evil and promote good– to enable human flourishing. And within this context, citizens are subject to governing authorities and rulers are God’s servants tasked with instilling order.

Likewise, all Christians must pray for their nation and seek ways in which they can promote their neighbors’ well being. In America, “we the people,” govern a constitutional republic. “We the people” govern through elected representation.

Many Christians seek to visit the very earth on which Jesus walked. Pastors on the trip explained that near the ruins of Caesarea Phillipi Jesus told his followers to confront the belief in pagan Roman gods and to not be afraid. Jesus’s followers courageously proclaimed the good news of the gospel and paid for their faith with their lives.

Like Israel, much is at stake in America. And like the early Christians, Christians today have a choice as to how they will live. There is no “right” or “left,” “liberal” or “conservative” Christian– only those who faithfully follow God’s word.

Hopefully, however, those participating on such a life-changing trip, will recognize their responsibility and privilege to be a part of the solution in restoring the various broken aspects of American society.